It has been quite a mad few years. During 2020 & 2021 we lost close to 9 months of being able to run normally due to lockdown restrictions, with continued distribution beyond this time. We had no idea if we would be able to continue to run, and just hoped that the amazing support we have seen over the years would continue. AND IT REALLY DID. Everyone came back to skate and more! We found that even more people wanted to learn to skate, more schools wanted to get us in for clubs, and we were absolutely stoked.

However expanding meant more money was needed, and as a not for profit we rely on a small amount of reserves to ensure we can keep growing and get by. Everything we make goes back into the club, in paying our coaches, buying equipment, upkeep and maintenance, park rental, electric & utilities, insurance and more!

We have got through it. 2022 has been awesome, however we are still feeling the hole that the pandemic left us with and realistically we are up against it. If anything significant needed funding then we would be really stuck, and we just don't like running this close to an already tight budget.

So we have been thinking about what we can do...and the answer, clearly, is to launch Toby and Sean out of a plane!! They will be taking part in a tandem skydive on August 9th (not together, with actual people who know how to stay alive in such situations!).

We hope you can donate to show your support - with all money raised coming back to the club so we can keep doing what we love to do with a little less stress about finances!

HISTORY: John Cattle has been skateboarding for 30+ yrs and coaching for over 12 years. In 2014 we found a permanent base at St.Marks Church utilising their unused hall, we went to work creating a purpose built training skate park with the aim of getting as many people into skating as we possible can. We started with around 3 sessions a week and about 25 people attending. In 2019 JCSC officially became a non profit Community Interest Company. To date we have 6 coaches working with us, and deliver skateboard coaching to around 400 people, every week. We work with all abilities, all ages, from toddlers to adults, in schools, and sports centres. We also specialise in working with children and young people with additional needs, and disability, as well as those who are unable to engage in full time school based education. We are currently developing a skate based mental health programme and continue to work with local authorities and organisations to campaign for better free to use skate park facilities on the Isle of Wight.

You can follow us on our facebook and Instagram pages or email zoe.skateclub@gmail.com for more information.