Worthing over-50s project in bid for Lottery funding

Walking football at Worthing Leisure Centre

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A Worthing bid to encourage the over-50s to be more active is making national news.

Community trust South Downs Leisure is one of five groups competing in the ITV Meridian West region for £50,000 of National Lottery funding in the People’s Projects competition.

Voting opened at 9am today at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk and the Worthing bid will be showcased on television on Thursday, when South Downs Leisure appears on ITV Meridian News at 6pm.

If the funding bid is successful, the fabulous project More Over 50s, More Active, More Often in Sussex will be improved and expanded.

Community gardening at Worthing Leisure Centre

The sessions, including walking football, walking netball and community gardening, are held at Worthing Leisure Centre, in Shaftesbury Avenue. The Lottery funds would help South Downs Leisure to put on extra sessions, pay for coaching staff and provide more equipment.

Alan Ford, marketing manager, said: “We are bringing the games that people loved when they were younger back to their lives, as they are played at a slower pace.

“With these activities, and the gardening, too, participants will testify to how much fitter and healthier they feel and that they also no longer feel socially isolated.