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Appeal to raise £100,000 to protect London playground for disabled children

"A lifeline": the Kids playground in Springfield Park, Clapton, is a community hub for disabled children and their families
"A lifeline": the Kids playground in Springfield Park, Clapton, is a community hub for disabled children and their families

A charity launched an appeal today to raise £100,000 to safeguard the future of an east London adventure playground that is “a lifeline” for disabled children and their parents.

The charity, called Kids, runs four adventure playgrounds across the capital catering to children and young adults with a range of disabilities.

The Hackney site, in Springfield Park, Clapton, urgently needs funding to plug a hole in its finances and protect its long-term future.

It could be forced to close if it cannot make up the shortfall, of about £82,000, by the end of next year.

Fidelma Hatton, director of fundraising, said: “It is the only specialist playground for disabled kids in Hackney, it’s a lifeline for them.

“It’s important that the children have a special place to play. Some of them have genetic conditions, many have autism. It is difficult for their parents to take them elsewhere.

“We have lots of big structures for them to run around including a climbing wall. It is an amazing place. It’s a community hub for many families with disabled children who all talk about what a difference it’s made.”

The playground runs after-school and Saturday clubs throughout the year for more than 100 children.

Its projected expenditure for 2017/18 is £228,000, but only £146,000 is provided by grant funding.

This leaves a £82,000 deficit, which the charity says is “unsustainable” for the Hackney site.

Expenditure includes about £14,000 a year to pay for specialist care workers who look after children with more complex needs.

These costs are not included in the charity’s funding arrangements, so it must raise the money separately.

Ms Hatton said: “The playground means everything to parents. This is the only place where they can safely leave their children knowing they will be safe and looked after.

“For parents it gives them some downtime while the children are happy, nurtured and looked after.”

To donate visit kids.org.uk. To give £10, text HACK17 £10 to 70070.