A SUMMER holiday play scheme has received a welcome boost in the form of a generous donation.

The Southampton annual playday and summer holiday play scheme will go ahead thanks to cash from the Barker-Mill Foundation.

Southampton Children's Play Association (SCPA), a registered charity since 1973, has been given £6,234 to help with costs of its annual playday and to fund a two-week playscheme in Millbrook this summer.

The playday will take place in Hoglands Park on July 27 from 10am – 2pm

Children and families are invited to join SCPA and more than 20 other local children’s organisations for hours of fun, games, music and activities.

Anna Roberts, Play Development manager, said: “While we receive part funding from Southampton City Council, we have to secure other funding in order to run most of our play projects. Without these grants including this one from the Barker-Mill Foundation, the annual playday at Hoglands Park would cease to exist and we would not be able to run our two week playscheme.

"Last year our playscheme was extremely successful, reaching 127 individual children. Our playschemes provide children and young people a safe and stimulating place to be and reduce boredom and anti-social behaviour in the community.

“In addition to running the scheme in Millbrook we also offer a young volunteer scheme and an adult volunteer scheme. This donation from the BMF will really make a difference and enable us to offer these opportunities to the families that we reach.”

Tim Jobling, BMF Trustee , said: “The work the SCPA does is outstanding; the charity provides a whole host of fun activities and schemes to engage local families and children. The playday is always a fantastic event and we are delighted to be able to provide vital funds to ensure the event remains free and able to be enjoyed by all.”

Families and children who attend the playschemes receive rewards and certificates for their achievements which helps to build on their aspirations. In addition, SCPA offers a full training programme for paid staff and volunteers to ensure high quality Ofsted registered play projects can run in deprived areas of Southampton and surrounding areas.