Olympic hero helps village go for gold

From the Echo, first published Thursday 2nd Oct 2003.

A North Dorset village is hoping an Olympic champion will boost their appeal for community facilities.

Gold medallist Matthew Pinsent has agreed to give his support to a charity evening in Child Okeford, where his parents live.

He will be giving a talk in St Nicholas's Church on Saturday about his rowing success and training for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, followed by an informal supper in the village hall when members of the public can meet the sports star.

The evening is aimed at raising money for a new pre-school extension to the village first school.

Organiser Catherine Ricklesford said: "We are absolutely delighted Matthew Pinsent is giving us his time.

"He is giving a talk about his success, training and going for gold but he will also be launching our Buy A Brick scheme.

"We are building an extension onto the school for a pre-school. This new centre will mean we can run from 8am to 6pm for one to 11 years and cater as a wrap-around club for parents who are working by having their children before and after school as well. It also means a new extension will free up a room in the school which we hope to make into a information, craft and technology centre used by the school during the day and available for adult education outside of school hours."

She added: "This is a really good community project for the village - an amazing amount of people have come forward and we have a programme of fund-raising events planned, but we hope Matthew Pinsent will really help to get us started."

The talk in the church starts at 6.30pm and costs £5. The informal supper afterwards costs £10.

Tickets from Catherine Ricklesford on 01258 861739 or Caty Fuglesang on 01258 861494.

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