A FUNDRAISING mission to raise £100,000 to rebuild a run-down skate park has been launched.

The newly formed Brentwood Skate Park Association has already collected £500 towards its target and hopes to rebuild the facility, at King George’s Playing Fields, in Ingrave Road, Brentwood, within two years.

Hairdresser Rob McGowan, 31, is association chairman.

He said the current skate park, built nine years ago, has gradually deteriorated.

He said: “It’s something the whole community can use and something for me and my children.

“If we can get the money to rebuild it in concrete, rather than wood and metal, it will be there for my grandchildren too.”

Rob has been involved with skateboarding and BMX activities since he was 11 and his three daughters, Erin, seven, Ava, five, and Effy, three, have followed in his tracks.

He added: “More and more is being taken away from teenagers with even less for them to do. It’s not only a sport lots of people get involved in, lots of spectators like to come and watch too, so it’s very important.”

The association hopes the majority of the funding will come through grants from organisations such as the National Lottery, but the group will hold its own fundraising events too.

The next one is coming up on Sunday, September 25.

A BMX, skateboarding and roller blading competition will be held at the existing skate park from noon to 4pm.