Rothes Community Playpark Group hits £75,000 mark with more fundraising lined up for May
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A GROUP fundraising to upgrade Rothes playpark has hit the £75,000 mark.
Rothes Community Playpark Group, registered as a charity through Rothes Council, recently received a generous £10,000 donation from The Forsyth Foundation, taking them closer to their £120,000 target.
This has added to around £50,000 raised in grants and more than £10,000 raised by the local community.
Recent fundraising activity has included a raffle, with a tattie bogle set to take place in May. Local firefighters are also embarking on a 24-hour run to raise funds for the group.
It is hoped more grants can help the group achieve their dream of completely renovating the playpark.
Nicola Cowie, who is heading up Rothes Community Playpark Group, said: "It has been nice to see so many people involved, it has been such a community push.
"We have received a few different donations and the £10,000 from The Forsyth Foundation has really given us a boost.
"We took in well over a grand after setting up a stall outside the church in Rothes to sell raffle tickets and the fire station has been fantastic.
"They hold events, usually car washes, during the year and the money raised goes to charity. This year the fire crew got in touch and wanted to raise money for us, so they're doing a 24-hour run with their families on May 8.
"We are also setting up a tattie bogle treasure hunt in May. The idea came about as, in previous years, the same thing has been run through the tourism board to tie in with the whisky festival.
"We thought why not do it this year but for the park? It's something we know the community enjoys and it brings people to the village.
"We hope some people taking part will offer a donation but it is open to everyone – we know not everyone can afford to pay just now and we don't want anyone excluded."
Rothes Community Playpark Group hopes to completely renovate the village's playpark, adding new swings, a zipline and an obstacle course.
It is also hoped that a softer surface can be put in place, with accessibility improved for those with disabilities and a fence put round the perimeter.
Once the playpark is looking fresh, the group's attentions will turn to adding some picnic benches and a shelter designed for teenagers to the surrounding area.
The tattie bogle, taking place from May 10 to May 16, will involve 'childhood characters' being hidden around Rothes, with people then given a map and setting out to find them.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/932441037296458.
Donations are currently being accepted for the fire station's 24-hour run. You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rothes-community-fire-station.
MORE: Community group fundraising to update Rothes playpark.
