THREE entrepreneurial teenagers from Hamworthy on a crusade to improve their BMX track have won funding from Borough of Poole and a donation from a local business.

Guy Crookes, Connor Jarrad and Bradley Rae, all aged 15, wanted to get hold of some topsoil to update the jumps and dips of the track behind Carter Community School, which opened in April this year.

On the advice of Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood Officer PC Lynda Soutine, they formed a committee called The Lost Boys and applied to the council’s Youth Opportunities Fund Panel, which is made up of Poole youngsters.

After their presentation to the fund’s panel they were awarded £1,200, and set about contacting topsoil suppliers to get the best quote.

But businessman Mike Toon, of MA Toon Transport, a keen moto-cross rider himself, was so impressed by their enthusiasm that he donated 350 tonnes of topsoil – which would have cost the youngsters £1,750 – for free.

Mike said: “I would have loved to have access to a facility like this when I was a youngster so was keen to help ensure today’s youngsters have a quality facility that they can use and enjoy.”

The topsoil was delivered last month and safer neighbourhood officers and MA Toon Transport employees then shaped the track based on the youngsters’ plans.

The teenagers have purchased three BMX bikes and kit, and the remaining £600 will be spent on maintaining the track.

PC Soutine said: “Guy, Connor and Bradley should be extremely proud of what they have achieved at Hamworthy bike track.

“It’s not just them who will benefit from the improvements to the track but all the other young people in the area.”