7:31am Wednesday 26th March 2008
By John Geoghegan
A NEW appeal has been launched to raise £100,000 to help get a new youth club off the ground.
The Massive Project has just applied to Rochford District Council to get the first-floor of a building in the Eldon Way Industrial Estate, Hockley, turned into a place for youngsters to meet.
The project, which is made up of local residents and pupils of Greensward College, in Hockley, wants to improve facilities for young people in the local area and has asked them what they would like to see.
Greensward College spokeswoman, Shirley Wheeler, said: "Local residents complain frequently about young people hanging around in large groups around Hockley in the evenings.
"Our hope is to give those young people a place to go where they are safe and off the streets, a place they have had a say in creating and somewhere which they can be proud of.
"While we are waiting to hear from the council, we need to start raising funds - about £100,000 for initial start up and running costs."
If approved, the club, which would be next door to CJs Bowling, will have a cafe, computers, a snooker table, a study area, a TV and games consoles.
The scheme is supported by Hockley, Hawkwell and Ashingdon parish councils and Essex Police, which hopes to use an office in the youth club for its police and community support officers.
Greensward pupils plan to organise different activities, such as a quiz night, to raise cash and will apply for funding from different groups.
Mrs Wheeler added: "We are looking for any help from anyone in the local community.
"We particularly need help with fundraising, sponsorship, accounting, architectural adv-ice, or anyone who would be able to offer us alternative premises should the planning permission not be forthcoming.
"It would be wonderful to provide this facility, not only for the benefit of young people in the area, but also for the residents."
For more information, call Janet Snelling on 01702 203659, or e-mail themassiveproject @hotmail.com
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