A COMMUNITY charity set up to save a stricken daycare centre in Fulham is the latest to be nominated for a cash windfall.
The Chronicle and Barclays have joined forces to launch a competition for community groups and charities to win cash and financial training.
A first prize of £1,000 is up for grabs through the Barclays Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle Series Let’s Do It Awards, which also covers the boroughs of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.
Sands End Playhouse, in Stephendale Road, was forced to shut in July last year after council funding was slashed, but the community rallied.
Thanks to business and independent funding from the Bender Family Trust, set up in memory of long-time Fulham resident Ray Bender, it re-opened as Ray’s Playhouse in September.
It is now able to continue to provide drop-in sessions between 9.30am and 12.30pm on Monday to Friday and baby clinics on Tuesday mornings.
Sue Lamb, centre manager, said: “The place has been buzzing since we re-opened and has a real community feel, which is exactly what we hoped for.
“We have a lot of regulars who come every day and really seem to benefit from the sessions we provide.
“Like any charity, the challenge is always finding ways to fundraise or people to donate, so a cash prize like this would seriously help us.
“The money could go towards funding more staff to come in and host different sessions with the children or pay for some play-time materials and equipment.”
Two runner-up prizes of £500 each will also be awarded, while a team of local Barclays staff will volunteer their services to support a charity or community organisation for a day, along with a volunteering grant of £750 to be used specifically to purchase materials or cover costs of associated volunteering.
To nominate a charity or community group click here .
