A new fundraising drive has been launched to repair the dilapidated and unsafe children’s play areas in Newcastle’s oldest park.

Northern Lights, the Christmas light trail that is set to debut in Leazes Park this winter, has pledged to donate up to £10,000 to help get the cordoned-off play equipment back in use. Organisers of the festive attraction decided to step in and help restore the park’s facilities to their former glory after complaints this summer that the sight of its disused slide and climbing frame had left one grandmother “absolutely ashamed”.

Their campaign will include a special play park fundraiser on December 23, when Leazes Park will celebrate its 150th anniversary, with a community choir singing carols under a sea of stars and immersive lights from the trail. Park bosses Urban Green Newcastle have set a short-term target of £20,000 to make repairs to the play equipment, much of which has been out of use for years after being deemed unsafe for children to use.

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Northern Lights has now promised a kick-off donation of £1,000, to enable people to add a donation to Urban Green when buying tickets online for the light trail, and to match every pound donated by the public up to £10,000. Northern Lights event director Roxy Robinson said: “We are thrilled to launch this fundraiser to repair play equipment at Leazes Park. We are committed to doing our bit to help improve facilities at the park in collaboration with park owners.

“Free-to-access play areas are so important for local families. We are delighted to do our bit by ensuring that funds raised via the Northern Lights event will contribute to getting the play park fully operational so that it may be enjoyed throughout the year.”

Urban Green took control of the city’s parks from Newcastle City Council in 2019 and admitted this summer that Leazes Park’s play facilities were in need of improvement, with three items of equipment out of use throughout the charitable trust’s entire existence. Its chief executive, Carol Pyrah, said: “We know from feedback that families and visitors really care about play areas, and I’m delighted to say we’re working in partnership with Northern Lights Newcastle to launch a fundraising campaign to revitalise the play area; providing children and young people with a safe and enjoyable place to play.

How Northern Lights Newcastle could look based on Christmas at Bute Park
How Northern Lights Newcastle could look based on Christmas at Bute Park

“What better way to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Leazes Park than gifting this historic city centre green space with an improved play area, in keeping with the original spirit of Newcastle’s ‘People’s Park’. We’re asking members of the public to join us in raising money to give Leazes Park a play area we can all be proud of.”

Just under £1,500 has been raised through the fundraiser so far. Northern Lights, organised by the same company Kendal Calling, has also pledged support for the children’s ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital.

Donation points for the Newcastle Hospitals Charity and Children’s Heart Unit Fund will be installed around the illuminated attraction, which is due to open on November 23 and run for five weeks.