Our Lady of Sion Presentation of Cheque to ‘We Play Too’

On Monday 29th June, Lyn Aaron-Ferringo, with her children, came to a special assembly at Our Lady of Sion School, to collect a cheque for £1,200 raised by the pupils in support of ‘We Play Too’. The pupils raised the money over the last three terms, each form choosing their own fund-raising activity. Some of the money was raised at a whole-school fund-raising lunchtime, during which a special charity lunch was sold, and pupils raised money by offering face-painting, nail-painting and other fund-raising activities. Lyn said; “The way the children have come forward to support us has shown real community spirit.”

Lyn had the idea for an inclusive play-ground for children with physical disabilities, after seeing a similar park whilst on holiday in Wiltshire. Her daughter, aged 5, has cerebral palsy, and is in a wheelchair, so is unable to play with her brother and her friends in the existing playgrounds in the local area. ‘We Play Too’ is the project Lyn set up to raise the funds to build the park. When she started, last year, she thought it would take up to five years to raise the money, but she has managed to raise the £90,000 in just one year! Worthing Council donated land at Brooklands Pleasure Park for the play area, and the diggers started work last week, with the first hole being dug by Lyn's daughter. They hope to have the park ready to use at the end of July, and will have the official opening in August. Initially, the park will have a wheelchair swing, an roundabout accessible by wheelchair users, sensory equipment and specially-adapted picnic tables. Lyn has been so overwhelmed by the response to her appeal, that she is continuing with her project. ‘We Play Too’ will become a registered charity, and Lyn hope to raise money to provide a second swing, a multi-play system, which is a type of climbing frame, with ramped access for wheelchair users, a ‘riding-saddle’ and a hoist so that disabled children can use the boats on the lake.

Lyn said; “It brought a tear to my eye, seeing the diggers start work, it’s like a dream come true. When it is finished, it means people in wheelchairs can be families; we will all be able to join in and play together; parents in wheelchairs can play with their children, and children in wheelchairs can play with their brothers and sisters.” She invited everyone to come and join in the fun on the open day, and play in the park with her family.

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