A YATE-BASED packaging company has donated an old bike shed to athletes using Yates outdoor sports complex.

Matt Spicer a former athlete, who now coaches at Yate Outdoor sports complex, approached his employer after discovering his club were looking were looking for shelters.

Matt, asked his company WestRock, who are currently celebrating their 5th year anniversary, to donate a shelter after mistakenly thinking an old bike shed was to be thrown out. However, WestRock plant manager, Clive Riley, agreed to donate the shelter to Yate Athletic Club following the whole track resurface this year.

Matt Spicer cleaned the bike shed and then contacted local printing company, Sprint Print, who kindly donated vinyl posters for the shelters.

Matt said: “When I saw an old one moved out in the car park at WestRock I assumed they had replaced it and were throwing it away. Turns out they weren’t, they had plans for it!

“Sprint Print very kindly agreed to provide the wording “YATE AC” which went on another athlete shelter, as well as the posters for the repurposed bike shed.

“This now provides a great first impression for anybody entering the arena.

“The donations are a fantastic asset to Yate athletic club and the complex and shows that even during these extremely testing financial times, there are still people willing to support their local community.

“I would like to thank my employer WestRock and Sprint print for their generosity.”

The refurbishment of the track and athletics facilities was made possible with funding from Yate Town Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Sport England, The Astro-turf project was funded by Yate Town Council, Ibstock & Entrust Communities, Sport England and Suez Landfill Community Trust.

Yate Athletics Club are keen to hear from any other local businesses that might be able to provide similar used shelters for other parts of the outer stadium, or who are able to offer sponsorship.

For more details go to yateac.co.uk/sponsorship/