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A group of mothers are this week launching their online crowdfunding initiative in a bid to transform a “sad and tired” playground.

Wanstead Playground Association, in the process of being registered as a charity, is aiming to raise a minimum of £14,000 to renovate the playground on Christ Church Green in High Street, Wanstead.

The online fundraising appeal on Spacehive will launch next Wednesday and the group is looking to reach the figure by the end of March.

It has also applied for funding from grants, including the Boris Johnson's High Street fund and local nurseries Little Bears and Treehouse have pledged their support.

The group announced their intentions in October last year but wanted to wait because of the publicity surrounding the crowdfunding bid for a Christmas tree in Wanstead.

People who use the park regularly, who spoke to the Guardian in October, said it was "not safe", there were "trip hazards" and the "equipment was dangerous".

Chair Sarah Boud, 39, of Charnwood Drive, said the group had had “constructive” meetings with Redbridge council, which said it would help with project management and installation once funding is secured.

She said: “The council has been really helpful and is doing all it can with very little money, after we brought up the issue in October the playground has been patched up in places but it is still sad and tired at the moment.

“It would cost £120,000 to completely revamp the park and in an ideal world we would reach this figure but we are aiming smaller to start with.

“We haven’t hassled people for cash yet but early indications seem to be that people are very supportive and we think this could be a success.

“It will benefit the high street too, the playground is always busy, and being so close to the high street, an improved park will mean more people use the shops there.”

To support the crowdfunding initiative click here. 

For updates visit twitter group: @wansteadplay