A HUGE fundraising bid has been launched to raise £30,000 to put a roof on Dovercourt’s outdoor skating rink.

Dovercourt Skating Rink, in Lower Marine Parade, has been used as an outdoor rink by youngsters from the area for decades.

But, Chris Scutt, who runs the rink, said the facility is underused as it is weather-dependent and isn’t used when it’s too windy or wet.

Now he has started a fundraising campaign to build a roof so the rink can be used all year round. Mr Scutt said: “I think the roof will help secure the rink’s future of staying open and significantly make a difference.

“I think it should increase trade significantly so when the weather is cold or windy parents will have somewhere nice to sit and it can be used all year round.

“It would also stop people having to travel to Rollerworld, in Colchester, if we have a similar facility in Dovercourt.”

Mr Scutt said he’s thought about building a roof for the past few years, but he feels now is the right time to start fundraising for it.

He has estimated the roof will cost about £30,000.

The rink will be holding a host of events over the coming months to help raise money towards the roof, including table top sales, a Comic Con, a raffle, outdoor cinema nights and inflatables days.

Mr Scutt hopes to have raised the funds by October, so the building work can be completed by the end of the year. He said: “I would like to have the roof completed by the end of the year in time for the 2020 Mayflower celebrations which are going to be big for the town and tourism.”

Next year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower, captained by the town’s Christopher Jones, sailing the Pilgrim Fathers to America.

Mr Scutt said he is also hoping to secure funding from sources such as Sport England. He added: “It would be lovely to have a Christmas opening with stalls around the outside and some skating demonstrations. For any companies that are able to provide funding, we have sponsorship opportunities available.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com and search for go fund a roof.