A SPACE for the youth of Hatherleigh to develop their football skills and have fun in all weathers is one step closer after a fundraising drive hit its target.

Hatherleigh Youth football club have announced the successful conclusion of a fundraising drive to raise over £27,000 to acquire the land to construct the pitch.

The latest contribution towards the fundraising effort came courtesy of Hatherleigh Town Council, whose mayor presented the group with a cheque for £7,500, with a coffee morning raising a further £450.

Thanking the community, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “We received a huge cheque from Hatherleigh Town Council for £7,500. Presented by mayor Mark Reddaway, this takes our fundraising total to over £27,000!

“Also, the wonderful Trish ran a coffee morning for the club, raising an amazing £450! In just a few months, we've hit our target to purchase the additional land.

“Thank you so much to all of the community who have supported us in completing phase one. The children of Hatherleigh will benefit for many, many years to come.

“This is truly the power of a community getting behind a positive project and should be wholly celebrated. Phase two, building a pitch, will be starting soon. Watch this space!”