CHILDREN have issued a heartfelt plea to help them raise money to build an “amazing” new playground.
The playground at Theydon Bois is nearly 30 years old and its rotting equipment means it won’t be a safe place to play in for much longer.
They are desperately trying to secure a £25,000 grant from OneFamily to help secure its future in the area.
So far, they have only half of the £113k they need to reach their goal and give the children a place to play for generations to come.
Shelley Dix, the chairman of the Playground at Theydon, a registered charity, says her daughter Jasmine, six, “loves” it there.
She said: “It’s a very well used community facility and the children love it. Everyone would be quite devastated if it were to go.
“Keeping it would allow us to retain a fantastic, local facility which helps keeps the kids active and keeps them out of a trouble from a young age.
“It would be amazing if we could replace this and keep our wonderful community facility.”
It is a place for grandparents, parents and siblings to meet others, make friends and build relationships.
The playground, in Poplar Row, was opened by Joy Wainwright 27 years ago because there was nowhere for the children to go in the village.
She managed to get her project of the ground with no council funding so people are desperate to keep her legacy alive.
There are currently four large pieces of equipment left but the wood is beginning to rot and they have fallen into a state of disrepair.
The committee has already secured a £40,000 grant from Theydon Bois Parish Council.
The money from the OneFamily could help them replace the equipment in time for next summer.
Mrs Dix added: “Our playground is desperately in need of some love and attention and we would love to be able to replace the equipment this year.
“If we could win this community award it would really help us on our way.
“We would be very grateful if anyone could vote for us, it only takes a minute but the outcome could make all the difference for us.”
See http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/playground-at-theydon-association
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