AN Evesham children’s charity is facing possible closure despite receiving a grant of £82,000 less than 12 months ago.

Evesham Adventure Playground received the financial boost from Worcestershire County Council early last year, with the money spent on a revamp of facilities.

But now the charity may be forced to close as it struggles to find funds to pay for day-toay running costs.

Co-ordinator Heidi Deacon said: “As the new year has begun, we are running out of money completely. We got the grant last year but that was only for the refurbishment.”

The 2011 grant allowed the playground to modernise the facilities to cater for disabled children.

“Now we have no money for the wages or the core running costs,” said Mrs Deacon. “We have the new equipment and we don’t want to lose it.

“We have been applying for grants but we need something immediately.

About £10,000 would cover our costs for the next three months. But we also need people to come and use our services.”

The charity began in 1982 and provides activities for children, including free play for over eight-year-olds, two youth clubs and parent and toddler groups.

Closure of the centre may also mean the end of the road for the Avonvale Special Needs Group and Working World, which are run from cabins on the same site at Woodlands.

The playground is now holding a number of fundraising events to try and generate some of the cash. On Saturday, January 28, at 7.30pm a prize bingo night costs £3.50 to attend and includes a fish and chip supper.

On Friday, February 10, a Valentine’s disco and auction will be held at the Service Men’s Club, Coronation Street, Evesham, from 7.30pm and tickets will cost £5.

Anyone who would like to support the playground, donate an auction prize, or book tickets to the events should contact Heidi Deacon on 01386 442154.