Warrington-based Fantastic Fox Wood PTA has been named one of just four finalists in Certas Energy’s national Community Bloom Fund. The charity is now urging local people to vote and help secure the £30,000 needed to build a fully wheelchair-accessible playground.
The funding would complete a year-long fundraising campaign to create an inclusive play space at Fox Wood Special School, benefiting children across the borough who currently lack suitable outdoor facilities. £30,000 is the remaining amount needed to begin construction on the playground, following tireless fundraising by the PTA members along with Chair and Trustee Rachael Penn, who is a parent at the school and has led the campaign alongside PTA Co-Chair Laura Simms.
“This has been a true passion project for us,” said Rachael. “As a parent and carer, I know how much this will mean to our children and families, as there are currently no accessible playgrounds in the area. We’ve raised every penny so far through grants, events and the support of our amazing community. This final funding from Certas Energy would unlock everything.
“We are a small charity and it’s so hard for organisations like ours to access larger grants. That’s why this opportunity from Certas Energy means so much.”
The plans include specialist equipment such as a wheelchair-accessible playframe, sensory tunnel, bell tower and communication boards, designed with input from SEND pupils. The playground will be used not only by Fox Wood’s 132 pupils – 40 per cent of whom are wheelchair users – but also by children from across Warrington through local SEND clubs and inclusive holiday programmes.
The Community Bloom Fund was launched by off-grid energy distributor Certas Energy to support meaningful projects like this, that bring communities together.
Richard Billington, Managing Director of Energy Solutions at Certas Energy, said: “The application from Fantastic Fox Wood PTA is exactly what the Community Bloom Fund is all about. It is a brilliant example of how grassroots charities can lead real change. We’ve been inspired by Rachael’s passion and ambition and encourage everyone in Warrington to show their support and vote.”
Projects were judged on their impact on the local community, feasibility and planning, sustainability, creativity and social or environmental benefits.
Rachael concludes: “If we win, the celebration will be huge. We would be so excited to be able to tell the children that their dream playground is finally going to become a reality!
“We would like to ask everyone to take two minutes out of their day to vote for the Fantastic Fox Wood PTA project. This project would have such a positive impact on the SEND community in and around Warrington and would mean the world to our children.”
Voting for the Community Bloom Fund winner is now open and closes on Wednesday 23rd July. To vote for Fantastic Fox Wood PTA, visit: https://certasenergy.co.uk/community-bloom-fund/
