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young minds A CHARITY has been fundraising to encourage positive attitudes to mental health among the young. As part of the National Citizen Service (NCS) a group of young people, led by Mahria Hafiz, took part in a cake sale at Cornwallis Academy, a pub quiz at The Bell pub in Bearsted and a hand car wash at The Bell, raising a total of £216.15. The Bearsted pub featured in the fundraising because one of the team is the daughter of the pub- lican.


Mahria said: “The NCS chal-


lenges young people from different backgrounds to work together. I aminvolved with the CharltonAth- letic Community Trust, an organi- sation that delivers the NCS programme. “This team believed strongly that mental health issues amongst the youngwas an important cause and raised money for YoungMinds, a charity providing helpline services and case workers for young people with issues like depression and anxiety. “Their efforts were impressive


and we had a lot of positive re- sponses from local people.”


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Bikerswelcome proposal for pump track in park


MAIDSTONE Council is consid- ering a request for a track for off- road cyclists as interest soars in the fast-growing sport. Agroup of mountain bike enthu-


siasts is lobbying the council to build a pump track – similar to the one in Hawkinge, near Folkestone – which gives riders an adrenalin rush as they speed around a circuit. Pump tracks are considered to be


safer than skateparks and are ac- cessible to a wider range of age groups and skill levels. Mountain biker Mike Jordan (27),


from Tovil, hit on the idea after vis- iting the Hawkinge track. He said: “Pump tracks are much


more versatile than skateparks and are accessible for people of any age, from toddlers on strider bikes to ex- perienced mountain bikers. “You don’t need any skill or ex- perience – although obviously, the better and fitter you are, the more challenging you can make it.” Mike has set up a Facebook page,


which has drawn interest from more than 350 people and organi- sations, including the University of Kent Cycling Club and professional


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15 The Biketrack in Zurich, Switzerland


mountain biker Joel Chidley. It could cost between £40,000 and £60,000 to construct a profession- ally-built track with an all-weather asphalt surface. Possible sites include Mote Park alongside the Red Bull mini BMX track, or Cobtree Manor Park. Mike said: “Not many people


have heard of pump tracks, al- though they're popular in a lot of Europe and North America, along with many other parts of the UK.” A pump track consists of undu-


lating terrain and banked turns that can be ridden on a bike without


pedalling, using a technique known as pumping. Mike has already spoken to offi-


cers at Maidstone Council’s parks and leisure department who have said that, provided he can gather enough support to show there is demand for a track, they will try to find an appropriate space and see if any grant funding is available. Mike hopes bike manufacturers


and other related companies will provide sponsorship. To learn more or to show your support, go to www.facebook.com/ groups/pumptrackmaidstone.


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