Foyer helps youngsters on ladder to success
TWO young entrepreneurs have been given a helping hand on the ladder to success by aMaidstone town centre charity. Samuel Harrison, (20) and Emrah Mehmet
(24) were both homeless before being ac- cepted into the town’s Trinity Foyer. Now, they are working on plans to give something back to the charity – and to the town. Sam, who has always been a keen skate- boarder, discovered a talent for graphic de- sign after dropping out of sixth form at Cornwallis School and has spent the past few years designing elaborate skateboard parks and skateboard graphics. A £250 grant from The Prince’s Trust, to-
gether with advice and help in putting to- gether a business plan, means he is now on his way to launching his company MRKD and finding premises for an indoor skate park to encourage other youngsters develop their skills. Emrah, meanwhile, has been busy visiting
MAIDSTONE United’s new football stadium is to be named The Gallagher Stadium. The club has agreed a six-fig-
ure naming rights deal for their new ground off James What- man Way with The Gallagher Group – one of the major in- vestors in the project and the firm behind much of the work already carried out. Pat Gallagher, Gallagher Group chairman, said: “We are proud to have helped the own- ers get the project off the ground and it is a wonderful
Emrah and Sam with Trinity Foyer serv- ices manager Sue Moore
primary schools and local groups, giving breathtaking break dancing displays, both on his own and as part of a dance crew. Impressed by their flair and enthusiasm,
localMPHelen Grant has offered to help the pair find premises and business backing. Sam said: “Six months ago, I was home-
less and had no hope. The people here have helped me so much and given me confi- dence that I never believed possible.” Emrah said: “The support staff are awe-
gesture for the club to put our name to the new stadium.” The Gallagher Group, based
in Aylesford, has agreed a £150,000 five-year naming
some, really brilliant. I had been sofa surf- ing and staying with friends, but now I can concentrate on building a life and getting my dancing properly off the ground.” The foyer is run by Stonham, the care and support division of Home Group, one of the UK’s largest providers of social housing. It has been operating in Church Street for 13 years, from where it provides accommoda- tion and support for 59 vulnerable and homeless people aged 16-24. The foyer works with a number of partner agencies to teach the youngsters independ- ence and social skills. Sam hopes to get permission for an indoor
skate park in the PowerHub, St Peter Street, and is also hoping for financial backing to launch a range of MRKD clothing and af- fordable designer skateboards. Emrah hopes to work with Zoe Sparkle
and the Maidstone Fringe on displays and break dancing classes for youngsters.
Gallagher Group signs up to naming rights deal at new football stadium
rights deal for the 3,000 capac- ity stadium, the first football ground in the country to in- clude a hi-tech 3G pitch from the outset.
Town centre managers’ traffic concerns CONCERNS about pedestrian access to the new Maidstone United FC ground have been voiced by Town Centre Management. Although the new Gallagher Stadium, next to Whatman Park,
is considered an ideal location, parking and pedestrian access from the main A229 was cause for concern, agreed members. Cllr Malcolm Robertson believes the current pedestrian cross-
ing close to the White Rabbit pub needs to be re-assessed. The club itself is carrying out an internal health and safety audit and a comprehensive travel plan.
The synthetic surface will en-
able the facility to be used by the club’s first team, their 25+ community teams, and other local clubs, businesses, com- munity groups and schools. The £1.6m project, managed
by Prime Building Consultants of Maidstone, is due to be com- pleted in time for a proposed pre-season game on July 14. People can support the proj-
ect by sponsoring a seat or buy- ing a brick in a ‘Wall of Fame’ at the ground. Details at www.
maidstoneunited.co.uk
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