Top athletes from Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club (The Cats) are reaping the benefits of a new portable shelter for home and away fixtures, thanks to generous support from leading Essex law firm Thompson Smith & Puxon.

The new shelter was put to use for the first time during the North East Essex Schools District Cross Country Championships, held at the Garrison Athletics Track in Colchester on Tuesday 21st November.

Pupils from more than 20 secondary schools in the area took part in the competition organised by The Cats and although the sun shone throughout the day, the shelter provided a vital base for The Cats team and storage space for kit and refreshments.

Club Chair Peter Tanner said: “Thanks to Thompson Smith & Puxon’s support we now have a quality, high grade portable shelter which will be a great asset to the Club especially during those cold, wet, days at cross country events! The Club is moving forward all the time and generous backing such this helps us to spread athletics across the community at a faster pace.”

Mark Cooksley, senior solicitor at TS&P which has offices in Colchester and Clacton, said: “We are delighted to support such forward thinking and progressive Club. Sport plays a vital role in the local community and should be encouraged at all levels. We hope that our support will help The Cats realise their exciting plans for the future.”