Redrow raises the bar

Fri, Aug 11th 2006, 11:00

A House Builder has bent over backwards with a cash donation to an Ipswich gymnastics club that trains the Olympians of the future.

Redrow Homes, currently building new homes at Oakside Park in Kesgrave, has stumped up £500 to help pay for a new kitchen at Pipers Vale Gymnastics centre, a purpose-built gymnasium alongside Gainsborough Sport and Community Centre on Braziers Wood Road.

Beryl Williams, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Eastern) explains: “One of our customers at Oakside Park is a volunteer at the centre, and told us about the plans for the new kitchen.

“She herself had recently moved to the area so her daughter, an Olympic hopeful for 2012, could be nearer the club, so we were only too willing to help.

“We don’t just build houses, we always try to make a contribution to the areas we’re active in – and Pipers Vale was the perfect opportunity to make a worthwhile difference.”

Andy Wood, fundraising officer at Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club, which offers some of the best gymnastic facilities in the country, says: “We rely heavily on fund raising and charitable support so thanks to Redrow’s cash donation and the tremendous volunteers associated with the club, our kitchen is now up and running.

“We train children at various stages – we have several regional, national and international athletes – and with over 2,000 young people using the centre each week, from all over Suffolk, our ambition is to develop into one of the best centres in the UK.

“Previously all food has had to be cooked off the premises and brought in by volunteers, often parents, and so to have the facilities on site means we’re able to host national competitions and provide more of a variety of refreshments to our guests and judges.”

Pipers Vale also holds a Youth Nite event every Friday, where 11-15 year olds can come along and get involved. Andy comments that this has drastically reduced the level of anti-social behaviour around the centre.

Redrow’s Oakside Park development currently features a winning combination of two, three and four-bedroom homes with prices from £143,000 to £259,995. For further details call the Redrow sales consultant on 01473 612169, visit the show homes - open daily between 10am and 5.30pm.

To find out more about Pipers Vale, log on to www.gymnasticsinipswich.co.uk