A PLAY DAY under threat of closing after entertaining thousands of youngsters has been saved.

The Southampton Play Day was set to close this year after organisers could not rally enough funds.

But thanks to a large donation they will be able to continue entertaining thousands of children.

Southampton Children’s Play Association has fought to throw the fun event every summer for seven years, needing to raise enough money to pay for it each time.

Organisers were on the verge of cancelling the event in Hoglands Park but now they are planning to throw open the gates once more.

More than £6,000 has been donated by the Barker-Mill Foundation to enable the event go ahead, offering at least 3,000 children a day of play.

The play association works with scores of organisations ready to volunteer their time to offer children across the city some fun during their school holidays.

Play development manager Anna Roberts said: “Barker-Mill’s funding has saved Play Day. If we hadn’t received their funding we wouldn’t be able to carry on.

“Play Day has been giving so many opportunities to local people to become involved and feel valued and like they belong.”

The money is being used to prepare for the event on July 24 and money is also being used to add two weeks more of entertainment.

These events will be for children aged five and over at the Millbrook Scout Hut in Canford Close.

Children can spend the days safely enjoying a range of fun and games including drama, art, sport and painting from Monday, August 4 until Friday, August 21.

Tim Jobling works with Barker-Mill Foundation across Hampshire to offer community groups and charities financial support.

He said: “The workers and volunteers of Southampton Children’s Play Association fully deserve our support because they do so much every summer for the youngsters and parents in the city.

“The Play Day has become an annual city institution so we’re delighted our donation has kept it going for yet another year..”

To find out more visit scpaplay.org.uk.