Sport England has given £50,000 National Lottery funding to the Downs Sailing Club in Walmer and the community is invited to celebrate the investment tomorrow (Friday).

The cash is part of a £40 million package of grants to a variety of projects across the country as part of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme.

Downs Sailing Club commodore Paul Harris said: “We have a growing membership, a strong cadet fleet, a host of previous national champions and excellent coaches.

“We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises to match the quality of our sailing area.

“Downs Sailing Club will welcome the National Schools Regatta in July 2014, so the club will be working hard to complete the project in time to host over 400 competing sailors.”

The cash will be used to upgrade the clubhouse to build a room for training and briefings.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, Thursday, August 15.

* To celebrate the award, local people are being invited to visit the club from 6pm on August 16. Please contact secretary@downssailingclub.co.uk for more details.