Traffic wardens have donated £300 towards a bid to refurbish a playground after the secretary of the charity received a parking fine.

Nicola Calabrese, secretary of Wanstead Playground Association, wrote to traffic warden company APCOA in April soon after being fined for parking illegally in Spratt Hall Road.

APCOA issues parking tickets on behalf of Redbridge council.

Since February this year, the charity has raised over £37,000 for a complete revamp of the popular children’s playground on Christchurch Green.

Ms Calabrese said: “Being fined for parking on Spratt Hall Road inspired me to ask.

“We are of course delighted with the support that we have received to date from local companies like APCOA.

“There’s still more work to be done between now and October, which is when we’re looking to put the reconstruction work out for consultation.”

The charity is hoping to raise around £100,000 in total and building work is expected to start early next year. 

Mick Dryk, contract manager for APCOA’s parking operation in Redbridge, met Ms Calabrese and other members of the charity at the playground on Friday (June 26).

He said: “When I first heard about the Wanstead Playground Association’s fundraising efforts, it was something that I was keen for us to get involved with and do what we could to help.

“I know Wanstead very well. I used to live just a stone’s throw from the green, so I know just how popular the playground is with mums and children alike. 

“The facility has been the real hub of the local community for many years, but the equipment is outdated and much of it is in a poor state of repair.”

Both the Wanstead Playground Association and Epping Forest South Scout District’s project to rebuild its scout hut in High Street, Wanstead, each won £5,000 from the Aviva Community Fund yesterday.

The next volunteering day painting the playground fences will be held on July 9 from 9.30am.

The local Starbucks cafe and Nice Croissant will be offering refreshments.

For more information and to pledge your support, visit: www.wansteadplayground.co.uk.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Volunteers painting fences at the last spruce-up day.