Vote for derelict play area to get cash for revamp

2:04pm Monday 12th May 2008

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A DERELICT children's play area in Worcester has been shortlisted for the chance of winning a £10,000 makeover.

The land, in Rose Avenue, Tolladine, used to be a play area until it was vandalised four years ago.

But now the area has been named as a finalist in Goodyear's 2008 playground appeal - an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of the need for safe play in the UK.

The appeal for entries was launched last month by the tyre manufacturer, which received hundreds of nominations, with Tolladine making it to the final few.

The lucky makeover winner will be decided by a public vote. The playground with the most votes willing the overhaul.

Worcester Community Housing's (WCH) customer involvement coordinator Kate Sisman said: "The Rose Avenue playground is already set to benefit from £10,000 pledged by the Local Public Service Agreement 2 funding, which is linked with the Local Strategic Partnership.

"The addition of the Goodyear money to this partnership pot would make sure the play area was the best it could possibly be."

WCH will also be match-funding the project.

Local children are helping WCH come up with a design when the final cost of the entire project will be worked out.

Last October, your Worcester News revealed how a group of youngsters from Tolladine had put together a petition to give to WCH for a new play area on the patch of land and make it a safe place for them to play.

Kelly Davies, who lives next to the site, said the children were very keen to have a playground.

"It is absolutely brilliant, we are all going to go online and vote. It is something the kids are really going to be pleased about.

"I thought everyone had forgotten about us but if we did win that would be great," said Miss Davies.

Anna Stanley, Goodyear's spokesperson said: "It is undoubtedly a very worthy playground that is need of a little TLC, so it would be great if it now went on to win the makeover money."

WCH is urging as many people as possible to get behind the campaign by logging on and voting for the Rose Avenue scheme.

Voting is taking place now online, visit www.mygoodyear. co.uk/ and click on the Vote for a Playground link.

You can then view the gallery of worthy causes' and vote for the Worcester scheme. Voting closes on Friday, May 23.