Ex-student Katie Price backs school's plans for new sports hall

Katie Price, television personality and glamour model, said: "I loved my sport when I was at Patcham, Running was my big thing and I was really proud to represent the school.

"As a mum I know how important physical exercise is for kids and I reckon the kids at Patcham High deserve the best facilities they can get.

"I still have friends who live in and around Patcham and I think the new sports hall and the all-weather pitches will be brilliant for them and their families and anyone else in the area who’s into sport."

The school has launched a fundraising drive to kickstart the planning process - with a target of £10,000.

John McKee, headteacher of Patcham High, said: "2016-2017 has been a good year of sport at Patcham High School. We have ever increasing levels of participation and many of our students are competing at high level. Sport is so important to the physical health and general well-being of all our young people. However, our facilities don’t fully reflect the passion and ambition we have for sport, so we continue with our determination to raise funds to pay for the planning of a new Community Sports Hall and 4G pitch.

"Since October our students have embarked on a range of innovation fundraising activities. I have been extremely proud of their efforts. We have managed to raise enough money to pay for a full feasibility study and we have banked a further £5,000 to go towards payment for planning.

"Our aim is to reach our target of £15,000, to cover the total cost of planning process, by the end of the summer term. This means that we need to raise another £10,000 in the next month and a half. All and any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

"We are determined to do the very best for both our students and the community. It would be fantastic if you could get fully behind us with this initiative."

To donate to the cause and to find out more, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/patcham-high-school-sports-development