OLYMPIC gold medallist Alex Danson headed back to Alton to help raise a £10,000 for Alton Hockey Club’s Push for a Pitch appeal.

The GB hockey player who hit gold in Rio was guest of honour at a club fundraiser at Eggar’s School on September 24 which has been described as “a huge success”.

Eggar’s School hall was transformed for the occasion, with beautifully decorated tables, a live band and dance floor.

The event was well attended by club members and friends, who welcomed Alex and her sister, Claire (now a professional triathlete), who both started their hockey careers at Alton Hockey Club.

According to club spokesperson, Victoria Small, “after a delicious hog roast, attendees enjoyed a game of heads or tails, led by Alex, and a raffle.

Alex then spoke about her roots, how proud she was to be returning to her first club and how she was really excited to be helping in the next stage of the Club’s development.

She was impressed with the aspirations of the Club and generously offered a masterclass for the junior section which will take place at the start of next year.

“After Alex’s inspiring talk, bidding in the main auction got underway with prizes ranging from a week-long stay in a villa in the South of France, tickets to the rugby Aviva premiership final, tickets to see Southampton FC and, the main prize, a hockey stick used in the Rio Olympic final and signed by Alex Danson.

“Following the auction, the live band performed two sets enabling everyone to let their hair down and dance the night away.

Said Vicky: “An excellent evening was had by all and the phenomenal total is testament to the organising committee’s determination and everyone’s generosity.”

Launched in February , the club’s £50k‘Push for a Pitch now stands at £36,500 raised in just one year.

Expected to cost in the region of £450,000, the new pitch is needed so the club can continue to provide training for it’s hugely expanding junior section, as well as provide pitches for adult team matches.

According to Vicky, the club currently uses the all weather pitch at Amery Hill School but, due to the limitations on usage at the weekend and the lack of floodlights, the juniors have extremely limited training space on a Saturday morning and sometimes have to forgo training altogether so that the adult teams can play league matches. This the seniors need to do if they are to remain in the league and further the club’s already impressive progress at adult team level.

At present the club is operating at capacity but it has proposed floodlighting the astro turf pitch in the grounds at Eggar’s School and using it, outside of school hours.Eggar’s and the club are aiming to raise £120k between them towards construction costs, with Sport England providing the rest.

For more details about the appeal, donations or fundraising suggestions, visit

altonhockeyclub.co.uk.