Story
This is a fantastic opportunity to build a bigger, better playground for the next generation of disabled children and young people, and the wider community.
With a design inspired by the beautiful Surrey Hills, every detail has been designed with purpose following extensive observation of how children prefer to play and the equipment they use, and thorough consultation with parents.
Why it's so important
88% of Challengers parents say this playground will improve access to physical activity for their family and enable their child to feel safe while playing.
This playground is vitally important to disabled children and their families, as only 6% of our parents feel that there are enough accessible and inclusive playgrounds in Surrey.
At Challengers, were passionate about providing fun play and leisure for all disabled children and young people, and we know that our new playground will help to change this statistic and positively benefit families, now and in the future.
A playground for the whole community
When not in use at Challengers, we plan to open our new playground to the general public for local families to enjoy together.
81% of our parents have told us that this new playground will help them feel included and part of the community. Its an exciting opportunity for us to build a space bringing disabled and non-disabled children together, where they can make friends and learn from each other, without limitations.
What will the playground look like?
The playground will feature specialist equipment to facilitate children with differing needs, including a wheelchair-accessible carousel, multiple seating options for swings, and sensory areas.
It will be a versatile and diverse space with something for everyone, including:
-A Brooklands-inspired circuit for thrill-seekers to run and race around.
-Sloping green hills which children can climb, roll and slide down.
-A tribute to the River Wey which will run through the playground, providing children with a place to splash about.
-A large open sandpit inspired by the golden sand at Frensham Ponds, providing endless fun and games.
It will also provide the opportunity to help develop children's motor skills - positively impacting on their everyday life.
Take action now
To reach our target of £300,000 and start the playground build, we need the support of our community to donate, fundraise and spread awareness of the Big Play Appeal.
How you can help us to raise the money we need:
-Make a donation and ask 5 friends to donate too
-Taking on a fundraising play event of your own during the month of October contact fundraising@disability-challengers.org to find out more
-Share our appeal with your friends, family and colleagues
-We are so grateful for anything you can do to support our appeal. You can make a huge difference to local children, giving them a place where everyone can have fun and play.
About Challengers
Through our Pre-schools, Play and Youth short breaks schemes, and our emergency service supporting young disabled people excluded from education, we deliver over 65,000 hours of support at Challengers each year. We harness the power of play to enable young people to feel more confident, make friends, develop social skills and most importantly have fun. If you would like to find out more about the charity, please visit our website or watch the video below - Eleanor's Story.
Thank you for your support!