A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help pay for essential repairs at a recreation centre situated next to Tranmere Rovers.

The facility, described as a community asset, has played a huge part in thousands of people's lives for more than 30 years, with young children all the way to senior citizens using the facility, which is open seven days a week.

But its roof has a serious leak, meaning that whenever there is a downpour, the facility cannot open, forcing cancellation of different community on a regular basis.

Tranmere Rovers in the Community (TRIC)'s Raise the Roof campaign to raise enough money to pay towards the repairs.

Working in conjunction with Tranmere Rovers Trust, the group hopes to raise as much as possible to pay for the work.

Dawn Tolcher, managing director at Tranmere Rovers in the Community, said: "The impact the recreational centre has on the community is huge.

"The roof is in a dire state and we are so close to having to shut the facility down for good.

"We need as much help as we possibly can to help rectify the serious problem we have on our hands.

"It is such a shame when we have to cancel activities and see so many people disappointed.

"The support we have received so far has been fantastic, but we are still a long way off our target so please can you help and donate whatever you can to help fix the Recreational Centre roof."

Not only does the Recreation Centre provide opportunities for participants on Tranmere Rovers in the Community’s programmes, the general public use the facility on a daily basis, with 300 players taking part in the evening leagues.

Among its regular users is Richard, who suffers from dementia and attends a weekly social activity in the recreational centre.

Urging public support for the campaign, he said: "If the centre wasn't here, I wouldn't have anything, it is so important to me."

Darren, a participant on the TRIC's disability football programme, echoed Richard's added: "If anyone can help us get this roof fixed, please do.

"We want to keep coming, we love it and if the centre gets closed down, we have nowhere else to go."

Tranmere Rovers legend and former manager John Aldridge said: "It is a real shame to hear about the roof at the recreational Centre and everyone needs to rally round now and help.

"I know how important the centre is to the local community."

If you would like to donate to the Raise the Roof campaign and help to fix the Recreation Centre roof, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/raise-the-roof-10