We are raising money to fund the Bridport Bandits Youth Motor Project, a volunteer run, self-funded community Group in the Dorset town. We now face having to buy our premises to save the project. Particularly in the short term the club needs to raise about £15,000 for a van to transport it’s GoKarts to the local racetrack.

Going forward the club’s outgoings are currently around £10,000 per year to

provide a safe, fun environment where young people are taught mechanical

skills they can use to gain employment.

Our story:

Bridport Bandits was set up by local volunteers about 32 years ago to channel

young people’s enthusiasm for cars and things mechanical into an organised

progression that could lead to employment in the local motor trade or similar

industries.

Initially the club took Austin Minis, stripped them down and converted them

into Autograss racing cars by adding roll cages, racing seats and safety

harnesses.

These long-suffering cars were then thrashed by 12 year olds and upwards

around a muddy oval track, then repaired and maintained as necessary.

Over the years, many young members of the club learnt their trade in this way,

going on to join garages and other local companies or starting their own

companies, then employing the next generation of members.

Most garages in the West Dorset area are either owned by an ex-Bandit

member or employ one/some, proving the worth of the club.

The club has been operating from a unit and compound next to the Bridport

Youth club for many years now, originally cost free with the support of the

District council. Now that the Youth Club is not funded however we have to

find rent and utilities on top of our other outgoings.

We receive much welcome support from local charities such as the Rotary,

Round Table, Vintage Tractor & Lions clubs to name a few, but have no regular

income to support us.

Recently the club has been offering basic mechanics sessions to local school

groups – this has been very popular and has generated some new members

which is always welcome.

A couple of years ago, as the costs of running Autograss cars rose and track

time diminished, the club decided to change it’s focus and co-incidentally a

GoKart project run to provide access to the sport to disabled people was being

disbanded in Dorchester.

We bought the karts and equipment and have been putting it back on it’s feet,

with racing starting again at the end of 2024.

However the trailer that the previous team used to transport the karts has

proved too heavy when fully loaded to tow behind the cars our volunteers

have available so it has been decided to outfit a long wheelbase, high top van

for this purpose.

A local company has very kindly offered to carry out the conversion for us and

to maintain it going forward for no charge so we just have to raise the cost of

the vehicle, which we estimate at @ £15,000.

Thank-you for your interest, we hope you are able to donate – even the

smallest amount will help and be gratefully received.

Donors are always welcome to come along on a Thursday evening to see the

club in action or follow us on Facebook.

Many thanks,

John Russell

Chairman

Bridport bandits

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