Community Playcentre @ Walberton charity launched

Community Playcentre @ Walberton was unveiled to the public on Tuesday, June 28.

The organisation which has seven trustees was set up by members of the community to help meet some of the education and leisure needs of the children in the village.

The charity’s main aim – with the help of its many supporters - is to build and maintain a purpose-built centre for a range of child-based community activities.

The new centre would also provide a permanent home for the villages much-loved pre-school.

Trustee chairman Sarah Waights said: “After central government pulled the plug on £500,000 of funding the school had applied for to build its new building the whole community was devastated.

“The pre-school is absolutely brilliant and there is a tremendous amount of support for it from the whole community.

“We are all uniting to help build new facility on land kindly donated by the parish council.

“The extra space would enable the school to build on the services it already offers, things like breakfast and after school clubs.”

Sarah said the charity is looking to spend up to £300,000 on the facility and hopes work will start in 2012.

The Walberton Pre-school is owned and managed by Helen Baxter and Mandy Foulds.

The charity was launched at the pre-school’s sports day and gave children, parents and friends of the school a chance to look at plans and ask any questions.

Trustee Clare Matthews, who is also a working parent with two children under five said local families are desperate for the new facility.

She said: “At the moment we have our young children travelling far and wide for the childcare and leisure services we need. We are really excited about a new building which would be right at the heart of the village.

“It is going to look amazing and will give busy parents vital help with after school care, holiday clubs and other activities.”

The charity already has several fundraising events planned including a scarecrow competition, fashion show, summer party and a monster ball in the Autumn.

They are also asking for help and donations from local companies.

For more information visit www.communityplaycentreatwalberton.org