FUNDRAISERS who set themselves a target of pulling in £45,000 to refurbish a children’s play area have “smashed” their total in only 18 months.
In 2018 the play area at Wesley Terrace, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, had to be closed by the parish council for the school summer holidays after an inspection revealed some of the equipment was dangerous. It was reopened after the equipment was removed.
A volunteer working group, made up of mainly mums and four parish councillors, set about fundraising to revamp the site.
The working group included Brigitte Hodgson, Faye Docherty, Grace Crawford, Ali Collinson, Ruth Kneller, Joanne Dobson, Sophie Markwick, parish councillors Christine Gilbert, Nickie Hough, Bob Danby and Lynne Oxby and were assisted by council clerk Judith Mashiter. They were celebrating last week when they were notified they had exceed their target of £45,000.
Ms Crawford said: “We smashed it and while we knew we would it still feels great. The project has brought us closer together as a community. It was tough, especially all the paperwork, but it’s going to be worth it.”
Ms Hodgson added: “It was hard work and it’s still hard to believe that we did it and we really worked as a team.”
The volunteers organised fundraising activities from quiz nights to Easter egg hunts, as well as canvassing businesses for donations.
The team applied for grants and received confirmation an application for £10,000 had been successful, pushing the fundraising over the target by £5,000.
The team also carried out consultations with the community, including children, to find out what play equipment people wanted.
There will be 11 new pieces of equipment including a mini-zip line, basket swings, a toddler slide and a sensory flower. Items will be suitable for children with disabilities.
Mrs Hodgson added: “We did have quite a lot of interest from a lot of companies when we put the design out to tender. We gave a set design because we wanted it to be unique and individual to reflect the village. Sutcliffe Play Scotland has ticked all the boxes”
Ms Crawford added: “There is about a six to seven-week lead in time for the work and we didn’t want the play area to be closed over the Easter holidays, so are hoping the work, which will take about two weeks, will be done in May.
“Once the equipment is installed we hope to have a bit of a celebration, but are also looking at revamping the entrance to the play area.”
When the work is complete the group may turn its attention to other community projects – but not before a well-earned rest.
