A DORSET model car racing club has begun to seek financial help after rising costs have made it challenging for the club to operate.

Founded in 1966 by Peter Loveless and Martin Young, Dorset Model Car Racing Club has shared that it needs help to continue operating after low numbers in the summer and rising costs.

Based at The Cornerstone Academy for 16 years, the club has found a new home at Corfe Hill School in Poole but has shared that current costs have limited what it has been able to do to improve its facilities.

Current club chairman, Alan Bolt, said: "We went to Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre afterwards when we all came out of lockdown. It was a new place for us for a few years and then obviously it shut down.

"We've spent a lot of time and effort in trying to find a new home. We ended up at Corfe Hill School and we've settled in well and we're at the stage we would like to do more events but that does come at a cost."

Hoping to raise £3600, the club hopes to spend this on a new race track carpet, an extra staircase and a protective handrail.

With a total of 90 members, Alan expressed that numbers for meetings can vary, especially in the summer, while hall costs remain expensive.

He said: "We're paying somewhere near £650-700 a month. To hire any sports hall is expensive at the moment and we're trying to keep costs down for our members. 

"We need to get extra handrails and we've seen a bit of damage on the carpet that we use. We feel that with a replacement carpet, we would be able to host another national competition."

Not charging a membership fee, the club has struggled in the past to pay hall costs.

However, in an effort to increase its members, it keeps the first sessions free for newcomers.

Alan believes that the sport is a great opportunity to teach STEM outside the classroom and is accessible to all ages.

To donate, visit the club's gofundme page.