All 28 of the Maidstone’s Dream athletes have been given a push in the right direction thanks to free gym membership at Maidstone Leisure Centre.

The membership has come courtesy of the Maidstone Leisure Trust and will benefit every athlete, whose aims are to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: “Once again we have gained support from another Maidstone business. This is great news for all the athletes. We need businesses to keep coming forward because these athletes rely on their support.”

Community Development Officer at Maidstone leisure Centre, Lauren Neve said: “The trust would like to give all the athletes the opportunity to train in the best possible environment, as a reward for all their hard work and determination. The facility includes a split level gym with the most up-to-date fitness equipment in the borough.”

Any business or athlete wishing to register their interest should contact Karen Smith on 01622 602759 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Join our Facebook group and show your support to bring a medal home – search for the group Maidstone’s Dream on facebook.com

The Hazlitt Arts Centre has backed 400m hurdler Ed Harrison as part of the Maidstone’s Dream project.  

The Hazlitt Arts Centre, in Earl Street, Maidstone, will encourage patrons to support Ed’s efforts in making it into the 2012 Olympic Games.

 Also as a product design graduate Ed will be making some miniature ducks to sell and the 22-year-old will also make an appearance on stage at this year’s panto – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Fund-raising efforts will continue throughout the coming years.

 Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: “It’s good to see our own Hazlitt Arts Centre backing one of the Maidstone’s Dream athletes. Ed is a very promising athlete and is our sixth athlete to benefit from the project.”

Ed is very grateful for the support from the town’s theatre. He said: “I think this is a great opportunity. I’m very fond of the Hazlitt because a few years ago I was chosen to read a poem on the Exchange Studio stage by the then poet laureate Andrew Motion.

“The money that is raised by the Hazlitt will go towards things like physio and travel.

“The main thing I would say to a business about sponsorship is that it’s not just about money, sponsorship in kind is also an option.”      

Maidstone Borough Council's Maidstone's Dream project has been given an artistic twist thanks to a graduate photographer.  Rebecca Andrews, an MA student from the University of the Creative Arts, has been commissioned as lead artist, to follow the journey of some of the athletes involved with the campaign.

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian Moss, said: "The London 2012 Games are not just about sport but also celebrate cultures, people and languages - in London, the UK and around the world. Rebecca plans to creatively capture their hopes and ambitions through the camera's lens."

The project, being named the same as the website - Maidstone's Dream, is being developed by the council's arts development team to celebrate the

Cultural Olympiad and bring together culture and sport.

The project aims to stimulate artistic activity in the town centre, exploring exhibition and display opportunities outside of the usual gallery environment.  The photographs by Rebecca Andrews will be launched on October 29 and will be in the form of an exhibition featuring eight athletes, highlighting the sporting talent being nurtured in Maidstone.

Cllr Moss added: "The project's hope is to generate a positive legacy, inspiring more young people to realise their potential through available further education, clubs and activities encouraging participation and learning in culture and sport."

Maidstone's Dream has been created by Maidstone Borough Council and supported by Kent 2012 Small Grants Fund and the West Kent Arts Partnership.

The exhibition will run until November 12. 

                      
Pictures by Rebecca Andrews