Residents encouraged to dig deep to help build a new Dorking pavilion

A community is being urged to back a campaign for a £500,000 pavilion

A string of fundraising events have been scheduled for the building at Dorking's King George V playing fields.

Appeal: Football coaches, residents and councillors have launched a fundraising bid to get the King George V Pavilion built
L-R North Holmwood FC's Simon Haigh ( team manager), Cliff Sturney (coach) , Mark Watkins (chair), Cllr Caroline Salmon, Cllr Mick Longhurst, Cllr Steven Cooksey, Rev Nelson Porter, and resident Jenny Howe Photo No: RSMAK020609-B01 by Alec Kingham

But a £200,000 grant from the Football Foundation is needed before the first brick can be laid.

About £300,000 has already been pledged to the pavilion by Mole Valley District Council. But with competition for the foundation grant expected to be stiff, the community has to raise £1,500 to show it is committed to the project.

If they get the funding, the pavilion will bring together the residents of Chart Downs, Goodwyns and North Holmwood communities through football and other community events.

As home to North Holmwood FC for more than two years, more changing rooms and facilities at the park will keep the club at the grounds.

Simon Haigh, North Holmwood FC team manager, said: "The Football Foundation bid will really make or break this project.

"We are urging the local community to get behind our vision and encourage as much support as possible."

Fundraising starts with a 1960s live music night tomorrow, Friday, at Chart Downs Social Club, followed by a junior disco at St John's Community School in Goodwyns Road.

Residents will also be asked to 'buy-a-brick' and in return their names will be engraved on a plaque at the new pavilion.

The plans are the culmination of a proposal first discussed in 2002 when the King George V working group set up to move the plans forward.

A decision on the bid will not be known until later this year, but planning permission for the first stage – to include changing rooms, showers, toilets, a kitchen, and a car park – has been approved.

A second phase to include room for community groups could be included later.