[A] group of local parents have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help raise money for the improvement of Abbot Hall play area in Kendal.
The Friends of Abbot Hall have been working with South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) since last summer to secure funding to provide a new and improved playground at the town centre park.
The group of parents – who are all volunteers – have now decided to launch a GoFundMe site to encourage local residents and businesses to support their fundraising ambitions for the site.
Several members of the community group, along with officers from SLDC, will attend the Kendal Unity Festival at Abbot Hall this Saturday (23 June) to promote the appeal.
The group has so far raised £72,000 of their £120,000 target and aim to create an exciting new play area for children and families to enjoy.
Local parent and member of the Friends of Abbot Hall, Melissa Lovett, said: “We know our goal is high and we still have another £48,000 to find.
“But the sooner we can raise the funds the sooner we can install an exciting new playground that the local community and visitors can enjoy.
“I’d urge anyone who can to donate, no matter how small the donation. Even the smallest of contributions will help and allow us to apply for match funding from other sectors.”
The current play equipment at the playground is nearly 20 years old and is no longer fit for purpose.
A public consultation was carried out by SLDC during the summer of 2017 to better understand what equipment and improvements park users wanted for the playground.
SLDC’s Environment portfolio holder, Councillor Dyan Jones, commented: “The Friends of Abbot Hall are a small and dedicated group of volunteers who are working extremely hard to secure funding for an improved play area.
“The group are working closely with the council to achieve their fundraising target.
“I’d encourage residents and businesses to support these parents in achieving their vision of an enhanced playground, which will be an asset to the local community.”
To make a donation to the Friends of Abbot Hall community group, please visit: www.gofundme.com/renew-abbot-hall-playground-kendal.
For more information on the project visit the group’s Facebook page – Abbot Hall Playground.
Kendal Unity Festival takes place at Abbot Hall Park from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 23 June.
The free one day event aims to celebrate diversity and advance equality, and enables a wide variety of organisations to showcase activities on offer within the community that people can become involved in.
More information on Kendal Unity Festival can be found at: www.cumbriaunity.org.
