What we are doing and why...
Burlish Woodland has been enjoyed by local young cyclists for over 30 years. However, it's existence is threatened! Local cycling charity Open Trail are working hard to develop the land into a professionally built and managed bike park, if we can't the jumps will be bulldozed and lost for generations of cyclists to come.
Star= site. Just a 10 minute off-road cycle route to the woodland is a ward in the top 5% most deprived areas in England, where 54% of children live in poverty.
Who we are...
Open Trail is a Kidderminster based registered charity (1190929) that uses cycling and forest school to provide personal development opportunities for local disadvantaged children/young people. We enable them to achieve new things and find out what they are really capable of. The landowner of Burlish Dirtjumps is donating the land to us, to be owned 100% by us, and we urgently need to raise funds to turn it into a formal cycling facility to protect the jumps and the woodland.
The bike park plans...
Our vision is to transform the 16-acre woodland into a cycling facility encompassing:
- beginner, intermediate and expert jump lines
- a mountain bike skills area
- fun zone for under 6s to learn to ride and develop a love for cycling
- a wide flow trail with features for all and suitable for disability adapted bikes.
- a clubhouse/snack bar with toilets
- an inclusive off-road cycling club
- a volunteer program for all; both cyclists and non-cyclists
- a supply of suitable bikes and safety equipment
- specialist coaching for disabled groups/educational needs and disaffected youth
Why we need you...
Thanks to your kind and generous support for this project, so far, we have been successful in securing £110,000 from Sport England’s Places to Ride fund! Securing Sport England's highly demanded support across the country shows the fantastic potential of this project and what an incredible local asset it will be. To complete our budget we need to raise another £20,000 to make this dream project a fantastic reality!
NB: We are working with ecologists, arboriculturalists, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's/Worcestershire County Council's Natural Networks program to ensure the site is run to enhance rather than damage the site's trees, greenery and wildlife
Our rewards...
Thanks to the help of some supporting organisations we are able to offer you a range of rewards for your kind support to us. Bike repair services, mountain bike coaching sessions, personal training programs and photography shoots can all be discounted by donating to our cause. Or choose to show off your support with one of our badges or stickers.
Rich Robertshaw Bike Mechanics- you may remember him from his great work at Overspoke Bikes. Now Rich has set up independently and is doing high-quality repair to a wide range of bicycles.
Skills Loop MTB Coaching- possibly the most highly regarded mountain bike coach in the West Midlands, he's sure to help you and your friends jump for joy, boost your confidence and conquer those corners.
Connor Hudson Personal Training- with more top-graded qualifications in his field than are possible to list Connor provides detailed and carefully planned training programs. Plus care and consideration to your progress along your training journey with him. Whether your goal is the Olympics or to walk up the garden without niggles Connor can help you.
Sadie Aldridge Photography- her photos are breathtaking! Family photoshoots, wedding photographs, special occasions, new arrivals, sports, pets. Aldridge Photographics never fail to make your jaw drop or raise a smile.
Open Trail goodies- fantastically shiny badges and stickers to show-off your support for our wonderful bike park!
Don't hesitate to grab your reward today! If you have already donated, need extra help in getting rewards, would like to add to our reward list, or would like more than one email [email protected] to arrange this.