AN enterprising trio of school kids have raised £580 to help transform a village play park, writes Jack Thomson.
Plans are being developed to refurbish the facility in Elderslie to make it a fully inclusive area with as many as 32 play opportunities for children and young people.
But to make this happen, Elderslie Community Council needs to raise funds.
Wallace Primary School youngsters Sophia Barr, 8, Teaghan McGinn, 7 and Ruaridh Barr, 6, have stepped up to the plate by selling nearly-new baby items at a Jack and Jill market.
READ MORE: New plans to spruce up Elderslie park
Eve Barr, mum of Sophia and Ruaridh, said the children were delighted at the amount they have managed to contribute as they look to breathe new life into the park in Queen’s Road.
She said: “They were overwhelmed. We had a lot of donations from local people.
“It grew arms and legs because it started as clear out from Ruaridh’s room and then Teaghan’s and then local members donated toys, walkers and baby equipment.
“The park is in a terrible state and it has been for years. The community council has been working hard.
“We decided to go to a fundraiser and they made £180 that night so we thought ‘this is ridiculous’ and realised we needed to do something.
“The girls were really keen because there’s no other decent parks in the area, so it would be really good for them to have somewhere nice to play.
“We are so proud. They donated their toys and they got shirts made, which they wore with pride. They went down to present the cheque to the community council. They’ve been really motivated.
“They have only just started and there is more to come. The kids are getting involved in the community and trying to get everyone together.”
Elderslie Community Council has already created an artist’s impression of how the new park could look.
It shows a facility that could be used by 55 people at any one time.
In that form, it has a number of different items, including a climbing wall, roofed tower, slide, bridge and wheelchair-accessible roundabout.
So far the group has raised more than £7,000 towards it.
Anne-Marie Balfour, treasurer of Elderslie Community Council, confirmed the group will submit an application for a green spaces grant to Renfrewshire Council.
She said: “We are over the moon with the kids. I couldn’t put into words how happy I was when they suggested the fundraising.
READ MORE: Bid to brighten up Elderslie gets blooming marvellous response
“It’s amazing and enterprising.”
A fair is planned for June 22 from 12-4pm at Stoddard Square, with stalls at the village hall, tea, coffee and crafts at East Gate Church and face painting at Elderslie Wallace Bowling Club.
The children will have a stall at the fair, and have also organised a bag-pack at B&M in Paisley on August 18.
For details on how you can help Elderlie Community Council’s fundraising, contact Ms Balfour on balfy1314@hotmail.com
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