Homer Hill Park fun day will be tribute to late councillor

Cradley and Wollescote Labour councillor Richard Body had launched a fundraising campaign to raise funds for a pump track for cycles, scooters and skateboards in Homer Hill Park in Cradley just days before he died unexpectedly on May 9.

The Friends of Homer Hill Park have vowed to continue the campaign as a tribute to Richard, who founded the group more than a decade ago and they are hosting a fundraising event this Saturday (June 24).

People are invited to complete sponsored runs or walks in the park to raise funds.

The event will run from 10am to 2pm and there’ll be a range of hot and cold food available including vegan, samosas, baked potatoes, barbecued food plus cold drinks and ice creams.

The local Scouts will also be putting on games.

Councillor Tim Crumpton said: “Richard firmly believed that getting involved in exercise is vital for the development of children, but he realised that there is little in the area for them. His vision was to have a facility to make exercise fun and he was, even on the day he passed away, working to get the pump track.

“We need to raise a minimum of £5,000 to enable us to apply for grant funding. The fundraising day was Richard’s idea, to have sponsored walks/runs around the path that he and the Friends had managed to get for the park.”

Cllr Body’s family are hoping people will turn out in droves and walk their socks off to raise funds and “make Richard’s dream come true”.

Anyone wanting to have a stall at the event can turn up with their own tables at 8.30am.

Car parking is limited so people are encouraged to walk to the park.

Sponsorship forms are available at Cradley schools, library and community centre, or people can download a form from the Homer Hill Park Facebook page.

People can donate on the day or online via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/homer-hill-park Email friendsofhomerhillpark@hotmail.co.uk to confirm interest in attending or to find out more.