by Sarah Shaffi

sshaffi@thekmgroup.co.uk

A teenage BMX enthusiast is hoping to get Cliffe’s first skate park built in the village.

Toby Elliot, 16, and his friends are wheel sports fans, but find they have nowhere to practice.

The Millcroft Road resident has now put together plans for a skate park on green space in Cliffe owned by the parish council and applied for a £22,500 grant which will help fund the endeavour.

Toby, who goes to Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School, said: “There are quite a few people in Cliffe that do BMX and skateboarding and there is nowhere to do that here.

“If we want to do something we have to go to Rochester and getting there is a problem.

“I thought it would be a good idea to get somewhere we could go in the village. It will give people something to do and will be good for the village.”

Toby got in touch with Medway Council and Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council, and received a response from the latter offering help.

He said: “One of the councillors, Janet Keates, told me about the Youth Opportunity Fund, so I decided to apply for a grant from there.

“We sent in an application a few weeks ago and now have to wait for a hearing date, where we’ll have to give more information about the project.”

The teenager has also secured a promise from Eon that they will give £5,070 to the building of the skate park if he gets the funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

Cllr Keates said: “In Cliffe we cater for cricket and football but not for wheel sports.

“I think Toby and his friends should be applauded for what they are doing.”