Westport AC fundraiser for a tartan track

We are looking for support in raising funds to modernise the current 40 year old gravel track in our wonderful town of Westport, Co Mayo.

All donations, big or small, gratefully appreciated.

Patronage Option

We are selling a metre of track for €100 to each individual patron, who will be acknowledged on a patron plaque in the club along with other sponsorship from businesses in the Community. We currently have a vitrual patron plaque on our website, https://www.westportac.ie/patron-plaque.php

The track at Horkan's Hill has seen so many of us come through its gates. It should be a resource for the whole Community to benefit from. We have introduced a wheelchair accessible ramp so that all members of our Community can avail of this facility as either spectators at events and football games of Westport United or indeed for exercise on a tartan track.

A tartan track is a must for all competitive athletic clubs in 2024. We are currently running on a grit track and kids are falling and hurting themselves on a poor surface week in, week out. They are holding themselves back at the risk of injuring themselves.

We have extremely talented athletes representing their town, county, province and country. We would like for them to compete on a level playing field and give them resources needed to attain their goals. In Mayo, many towns already have tartan tracks such as Ballina, Swinford, Claremorris and Ballinrobe.

Whilst many of our sports and clubs have the best of facilities, all children can benefit from training on a tartan track. Running is the basis for most sports and all of Westport's children can benefit from this resource.

There are currently over 420 Westport AC members, and all the local schools have access which includes the Sacred Heart School, with over 600 students and who have lost their pitch for the provision of classrooms, training on the track each week. They are all slipping and sliding on the surface. Whilst we have a paint machine to mark the lanes it is less than ideal.

We are seeking Government funding for the tartan track but this will need to be supported with raised funds.

We appreciate that there are so many fundraising drives out there and everyone is inundated with demands on their finances. We do believe however that an investment of €100 will bring immeasurable benefits to the Community as a whole. After coming through a Pandemic, we can all appreciate the benefit of sport and exercise in promoting mental health and well-being for both young and old alike.

Please support this fundraising drive and share as far and wide as possible. All donations are most welcome.

Yours in sport,

The Westport AC development Committee