'Big' delivers giant Christmas play gift for Staffordshire kids

The Big Lottery Fund is playing Santa by delivering a giant Christmas play gift for children across Staffordshire.
 
The fund unwrapped £9.2 million in funding for the West Midlands region that will transform play facilities for children of all ages. It includes an award of more than £700,000 for Walsall, and £669,000 for Stoke-on-Trent. The West Midlands lottery good causes awards go to 19 projects focusing on providing safe, quality play opportunities for children.

Big Lottery Fund Head of West Midlands Region John Taylor announced the December awards from BIG’s £124 million Children’s Play programme: “This is great Christmas news for our children. The Fund recognises the health, well-being and fitness opportunities that good play facilities can bring – we want to help move children in to safe and imaginative play surroundings. And we also want to encourage communities to recognise the value and benefits of play for their children, and to ensure that everyone, including those with disabilities can enjoy these facilities.”

He added: “The West Midlands have done brilliantly to secure this funding for the region. Play helps build healthy bodies and can open the door to fitness and future sporting interests. I am sure parents across the region will be delighted.”

Kids in Stoke-on-Trent will have a ball this New Year when a grant of £669,565 is rolled-out to Stoke-on-Trent City Council enabling them to develop a wide range of play facilities for children across the city.

The council’s play programme aims to provide safer neighbourhoods for children to play in, as well as encouraging greater tolerance in communities; the scheme will also include a specialist playground for children with disabilities, as well as play provision for children from particularly disadvantaged communities.

Stoke’s Mayor, Mark Meredith said today: “I am absolutely delighted that our city has won this award.  The City Council is a great champion of equality and diversity, and making sure that every person living here is given the opportunity to live their life to the full.

“Children's play is vital for their development and for learning socialising skills.  This award will help us move forward at a faster pace in our delivery of excellent services, particularly for those who are disadvantaged in any way. I would like to personally thank all those involved in putting together the bid for funding, and the Big Lottery for responding so generously.”

Other Children’s Play awards announced in Staffordshire on 18 Dec 07 were:

Stafford Borough Council, Stafford Borough Children and Young People's Play Portfolio - £216,755

Lichfield District Council, The Playful District - £200,000

South Staffordshire District Council, South Staffordshire Play Partnership - £199,757

Cannock Chase District Council, Cannock Chase Play Portfolio – 'CHASE IT - PLAY' - £219,949

East Staffordshire Borough Council, Play East Staffordshire - £242,047

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Newcastle Play Strategy – Make Way for Play - £245,371