A RACE day will help raise money for a village’s swimming pool project which needs £200,000.

So far about £28,000 has been raised for the swimming pool, which would be built at Sir Robert Hitcham School, in Debenham.

The pool’s committee is hoping the mix of 5km and 10km races will attract hundreds of people to the event.

Committee chairman Sacha Feeney-Howells said: “This fun run is with the support of all the community and we are doing it with Debenham Sports and Leisure centre.

“Hopefully we will do it each year; running is so popular at the moment in the village. We can cater for any amount of numbers and everyone gets a goody bag.

“Having it at the leisure centre is brilliant, because we will have all the facilities that we need.

“The project really does hinge on getting the big grants and Sport England seems the best to apply to. The community has wanted a swimming pool here for 30 years, but we are now definitely getting somewhere with it.”

The committee is expecting to hear back on a grant application to Mid Suffolk District council for £20,000 shortly.

A bid for £100,000 of Sport England money was declined last December. But Mrs Feeney-Howells said the committee had been invited to bid again later this year.

The races will take place on Saturday, May 18. Registration is from 8.45am, with the races starting at 9.30am. There will also be a 1km run. For more details and to register online, go to www.debenhamcommunityswimmingpool.org.uk