Friends of Grange Park, Old Coulsdon (the Friends), have secured funding from a number of organisations, which, added to their own considerable fundraising means that a brand new and inclusive playground will be built in Grange Park, Old Coulsdon, this summer.

The Friends have been awarded a £50,000 grant from Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to community and environmental projects across the UK as part of the Landfill Communities Fund.

London Marathon Charitable Trust has awarded £19,999, as part of their long-term commitment to capital projects which inspire local communities to get active and take part in sports and exercise.

Macquarie Group Foundation has also given substantial funding towards the project; they provide support to community organisations globally each year through financial support, volunteering and skills sharing, predominantly in the locations in which Macquarie Group operates.

This is a true grass roots campaign. The whole community has united behind the Friends in their ambition to renovate the 25-year- old severely dilapidated playground. The community are the architects behind the new design; ideas generated by 150 school aged children in a ‘design your dream playground’ competition led to an innovative theme based on the local heritage and landscape, including Kenley Airfield and the River Bourne. Inclusivity is also a hallmark of the design, which will achieve PIPA status - the government endorsed accreditation of an inclusive playground.

Quote: Chris Wright, Chairman of the Friends said: ‘The Friends have worked tirelessly over the last two years to raise funds for a new and inclusive playground for our community. The impact will be far-reaching, encouraging physical activity among our young people and providing a much needed facility where disabled children can play alongside their able-bodied peers’.

Work is expected to start before the end of July 2016, and should be completed before the end of August 2016.

For further information, please contact Hannah Price-Harries (Vice-Chair and Trustee): 07857 6888580/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.