AN appeal to raise funds for a children’s playground has received a major boost.
The 100,000 Smiles campaign, which is supported by the Gazette, aims to raise money for a new playground for the disabled pupils at Lexden Springs special school in Colchester.
The youngsters have a range of challenges - including some who are in wheelchairs - which mean they cannot play on traditional equipment.
Now the appeal to raise £100,000 to pay for a new play area at the school in Halstead Road, has received a donation of £10,000.
The money has come from the Clothworkers’ Foundation, a charitable trust established by the City of London livery company, the Clothworkers’ Company.
It brings the total amount pledged so far to £47,000 - nearly half way to the target.
Andrew Fullerton, vice chairman of Lexden Springs Appeal Fund, said: “The Clothworkers’ Foundation has a particular focus on capital projects and are keen to help disabled youngsters and so was a perfect match for our project.
“We are delighted the foundation has reached out to support us here in Colchester with this very generous award.”
The foundation was set up by the Clothworkers’ Company which has a history of charitable going back to the 16th century.
Since the foundation was set up in 1977, it has awarded grants of more than £100 million.