Godshill Play Park Project Funding Secured Thanks To Kindness Of Donors

Funding has finally been secured for the Godshill Play Park Project following protracted efforts for investment.

The project was founded more than eight years ago by chiropractor and Godshill resident Nikki Collinson-Phenix.

The catalyst for the project was a conversation in 2015 between Nikki and one of her patients.

The heartbreaking conversation involved a mum who revealed how challenging she found going to a playground with her children where one was in a wheelchair.

Her wheelchair bound child found themself sitting on the sidelines and watch their siblings have fun because as a result of none of the equipment being wheelchair accessible.

A fundraiser was launched following a meeting with the local Council, with one anonymous donor expediting the process with their kindness.

Nikki said:

"A project like this is not cheap, and we have a few Island businesses kindly sponsoring small pieces of equipment.

"An incredible anonymous donation has now secured the rest of the revised project and I am honestly speechless at the generosity of our donors.

"There were certainly a good few tears of joy when I heard the news! To say we are so grateful is an understatement and just doesn’t come close to what this means to us.

"It may have taken eight-and-a-half years from that first conversation and the launch of the project, but finally that play park is going to be built and I could not be more grateful to everyone who has supported this project - your kindness blows my mind!"

In keeping with the original version as much as possible, although the project has had to be revised, the inclusive space will feature a range of wheel-accessible equipment, as well as equipment for able-bodied children and sensory areas.

The play park will be housed as planned on Central Mead and it is hoped very much that it will be enjoyed by local families, islanders, and tourists alike.

Work to build the new Godshill Play Park is due to begin shortly.