‘Amazing support’ for playground fundraising

GORT could have its own playground by the end of next month, it was claimed this week, after unprecedented support from local people and businesses.
The company behind the proposed community facility has said it received “amazing support” in its fundraising campaign for the planned Ennis road amenity.
“We are doing quite well at the moment. We have about 80% of our fundraising gathered at this stage. Anything we get from here on means we can put in accessible equipment for children with special needs or exercise equipment for adults. We also want to put in simple fun things that are missing out of playgrounds nowadays, like sandpits and that type of thing.
“We also want to develop the garden on site in order to have a picnic area. We are hoping to put up a little stage for children to get up on and pretend they are popstars or whatever they want.
“Then, hopefully we will be able to afford things like lighting and CCTV, and other critical non-essentials. These are the things we are now collecting for. We have a lot gathered but want to continue with our fundraising to finish the job right,” said Martin Aherne, Gort Playground Company.
“Over half the money we have collected came from one particular benefactor. That was an amazing thing to get. We have gathered quite a bit on our own too. We have managed to raise a lot more than we anticipated. The local businesses and community groups have been so supportive. It has been unbelievable.
“One example of this is that I went into Supermac’s one day to buy a bag of chips and came out with a €1,000 donation for the playground. It has been incredible. Local businesses have come on board. We have had donations from Gort Credit Union, Super Valu, the ICA held cake sales for us, there will be a BBQ in Hennelly’s on August 12 with three bands and all these things are adding up,” he added.
Selling bricks in the family wall has been particularly successful for the group.
“The bricks were brilliant. We have about €10,000 raised through this alone. But we want to remind people to buy their brick now because the closing date for orders is August 14. We will have stands at the Family Fun Day this weekend and at the Gort Show next month. We hope the playground will be opened by the end of August or the beginning of September,” Martin concluded.
Sponsorship forms for the bricks are available in many businesses in Gort.