Swindon Harriers AC passes £102k track fund milestone - looking for more support

Swindon Harriers AC have reached a fantastic fundraising milestone, with more than £102,000 raised towards essential future track improvements at Foundation Park.

The achievement reflects the dedication and generosity of members, volunteers, supporters and local businesses who have backed the club's fundraising efforts over the past two years.

However, despite this significant progress, there is still a long way to go. The club faces the prospect of major resurfacing work on the athletics track within the next few years, with estimated costs likely to be three to four times the amount raised so far.

The need for investment comes at a time when Swindon Harriers is continuing to grow and deliver opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities across the community.

Over the past year alone, the club has:

• Continued to expand its popular funetics programme, introducing young people to athletics and movement skills.
• Celebrated a return to competing in the National Athletics League (NAL) in 2026, providing athletes with opportunities to compete at a higher level.
• Trained a significant number of Coach Assistants, helping strengthen the club's coaching workforce for the future.
• Seen athletes achieve success at the ESAA Track and Field Championships, one of the highest levels of youth competition in the country.
• Introduced a programme of monthly funetics Multi-Challenge events this summer, creating more opportunities for participation and competition.

These achievements highlight the important role Swindon Harriers plays in developing athletes, supporting health and wellbeing, and providing a valuable community facility in the heart of Swindon.

Howard Moscrop, Chair of Swindon Harriers, said:

"I thought as the club has reached this milestone, it was an occasion to make all members aware.

"The club is in a position whereby in the next couple of years it will need to resurface part or all of the track. We have been advised that we would not get a licence for the track, because of the wear in a number of areas, particularly the inside lane. Since Autumn 2024, the club has been raising funds through open meetings, advertising, donations etc.

"We now have an excellent £102k, but the likely cost of the complete resurface is probably three to four times that."

"We currently lease the track from Swindon Borough Council and in that time, we have repaired, renewed many parts, such as throws cages, high jump beds, pole vault beds, floodlights (£100k), photo finish, defibrillator, toilet block and the clubhouse, to make the facility useable.

"In order for this to continue Swindon Harriers need some help in order to keep the progress we have made in participation terms and quality terms."

We are hoping that SBC will contribute to the costs as it does offer a community facility in Foundation Park and is much needed in the centre of Swindon.

If you would like to get an advertising board, if you would like to donate, if you would like to come down and have a chat, we would love to hear from you."

The club has already demonstrated what can be achieved through investment in facilities, having funded improvements including floodlights, field event facilities, safety equipment and upgrades to the clubhouse and wider site.

Now, with the track's long-term future at stake, Swindon Harriers AC is calling on the local community, businesses and supporters to help bridge the funding gap and ensure that Foundation Park remains a thriving home for athletics for years to come.

Whether through a donation, sponsorship, advertising board or partnership, every contribution will help secure the future of athletics in Swindon.