FUNDRAISING for a project in a village near Cirencester has reached a huge sum thanks to the efforts of a community group and the generosity of funders and locals.

Efforts to raise money to transform Woodmancote’s playpark began in April.

Now, in light of work by Woodmancote Community Group and the support of funders and local people, funds for the project have hit £60,000.

Fundraising to improve the park started with the launch of part of the project on the Crowdfund Cotswold site, as well as a direct funding application to environmental body Enovert Community Trust for the core project.

North Cerney Parish Council provided seed funding of £1,500, and after a quiz night that raised over £1,000, locals and individuals linked to the area began donating online.

Cotswold District Council pledged £6,000, and Gloucestershire County Council’s Build Back Better fund pledged a further £5,000.

By the end of May, Enovert Community Trust had confirmed it would fund the core project with a grant of £33,675.

The National Lottery’s Awards for All scheme has contributed a further £14,599.

Together with the donations of people living in or with direct connections to Woodmancote, the total amount raised is £60,000.

Woodmancote Community Group first approached North Cerney Parish Council in December last year with ideas to revitalise Woodmancote’s existing playpark and turn it into a space to improve health and wellbeing.

Following a survey of households in the parish which demonstrated support for the project, designs including more stimulating play and fitness equipment, together with a social space, were obtained from several suppliers.

ESP PLAY was ultimately chosen as preferred supplier for the playpark.

It is anticipated that installation of play and fitness equipment will begin in October, when the existing playpark will be closed until all works have been completed and signed off.

Landscaping works, which will be undertaken by members of the community who have already signed up to a skills pledge, will complete the scheme.

Woodmancote resident and North Cerney Parish Council councillor Jonathan Dryland, who has been instrumental with volunteer project lead Denise Ewbank in driving the project forward, said: “When we started thinking about what we could do to cheer up the existing playpark, we never in our wildest dreams thought we could deliver the sort of scheme we are about to install.

“All members of our community will soon have a lovely space on their doorstep where their children of all ages can play, keep active, make friends and learn new skills.

“Older residents will be able to get active or maintain their fitness using the adult equipment, and everyone living in the village and wider parish will be encouraged to make good use of the enhanced community space, with its landscaping and rural setting.

“On behalf of North Cerney Parish Council, Woodmancote villagers and our wider community, I would like to express our sincerest thanks to all the funding bodies who have supported us and the wonderful people who have donated financially and shared their skills and talents to make the Woodmancote Community Space and Playpark a reality.”