A new parents ‘collective’ has set a target of raising £25k to help overhaul one of Ilkley’s best loved family facilities.
The Ilkley PTA Collective comprising volunteers from 11 local schools, has launched a fundraising ‘Marathon in a Month’ initiative to add to the funds being invested to improve the playground at Ilkley Riverside Park.
The Ilkley Playground Project intends to improve the infrastructure, quality and range of equipment and is expected to receive funding from Bradford Council. However, parents and teachers have spoken out about the value of the play area to local children and believe additional financial resource is needed to improve the area.
Nicola Holmes, Chair of Ashlands Primary School PTA and founder of the Ilkley PTA Collective, said: “The primary aim of our PTA Collective is to bring schools together to collaborate on community projects. The Ilkley Playground is at the heart of family life in the town and as such we all have a mutual desire to support the renovation. Coming together on the ‘Marathon in a Month’ campaign we have set a fundraising target of £25,000 which although ambitious, is certainly achievable”
The challenge for families is to complete 26 miles in a month during the summer holiday by any means including running, walking, scooting, swimming, cycling or even kayaking with organisers keen to ensure the distance can be completed by multiple generations of local families.
Jane McGuffie, Chair of Westville House PTA says: “We are delighted to be involved in both the PTA Collective and the ‘Marathon in a Month’ initiative. This is our first collaboration so we really hope the community will rise to the challenge”.
Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley & Ilkley says: “It is wonderful and inspiring to see our local schools getting together to raise money for such a worthy project. Countless children who have grown up in Ilkley and the surrounding areas, as well as the many children visiting Ilkley, will know this playground well. It is sad that it has got to such a state of disrepair. Good luck to everyone taking part in the ‘Marathon in a Month’ challenge.”
To find out more and to share your Marathon in a Month progress go to ‘Ilkley Playground’ Facebook page www.facebook.com/Ilkleyplayground
All donations to be directed to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/playground-marathon
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