Travis Perkins has donated thousands of pounds worth of materials to Southsea Skatepark as part of its role as an official event partner of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth.

With £300,000 worth of metal and timber ramps managed by the Southsea Skatepark charity, regular maintenance is crucial to keep the facility open to the public. The Travis Perkins team donated materials for around £15,000 of refurbishment work, which included the creation of a new training ramp.

Carol Kavanagh, HR director at Travis Perkins, said: “Our sponsorship of The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth is about furthering our commitment to local communities and the family values that our company is built upon.

“Southsea Skatepark has been used by generations of locals since the 1950s and it remains a valuable facility for young people in the area. The donation is part of our responsibility as a major UK employer to encourage young people to try new experiences and develop skills for a career they may not have considered before.”

Southsea Skatepark is one of the oldest parks in the world with the original rink first used in the 1950s. The skateboarding boom followed in the 1970s and in the 1990s with BMX and the recent scooter craze bringing a new audience to the facility.

Simon Tiller, from Southsea Skatepark, said: “The park is all about connecting the community through sport and physical activity. With over 40,000 visitors and over a million wheels rolling across our ramps each year, maintenance can be a huge undertaking. We’re grateful to Travis Perkins for the donation which will allow thousands more visitors to enjoy the park.”