A GROUP of Tadley mums has moved a step closer to refurbishing the town’s skatepark in memory of two local teenagers.

They have now submitted a planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the refurbishment of the skatepark at the Recreation Ground in Tadley Common Road.

About a dozen or so mums formed the Jake and Lee Tadley Youth Fund following the death in a car crash of Jake Burden, 18, and Lee Robinson, 16, in 2007.

Through hard work, the group managed to raise thousands of pounds for the project. Youth fund committee member Caroline Hall said: “For us, submitting a planning application is something totally new, so we’re really pleased.

“When the boys died we decided something positive should come out of something so tragic and the skatepark is something that the youngsters really want.

“We’ve got a long way to go with fundraising, but in order to apply for grants, we needed to have submitted the application so this should allow us to move on from here.”

An annual Jake ‘n’ Lee Memorial Jam is taking place at the skatepark today between 12pm and 5pm, with a BMX bike competition and other fundraising activities.

Jake and Lee, both from Tadley, died following a car accident at Gales Garage, on the A340, at Sherborne St John, in August 2007.

The refurbished park will cost £120,000 and will be used by skateboards, BMXs and inline skates.

It will feature a jumpbox, a grind rail, wallride and quarterpipe.

The fund has raised £27,000 and is hopeful of securing another £10,000 in the coming months from Tadley Co-Op in Franklin Avenue.

If you can help the fund’s money raising efforts, contact Miss Hall on 0797 6599771.