Charity donates £3k so playgroup can reopen after attack

A PLAYGROUP which was facing a huge repair bill after being trashed by vandals is celebrating after being given thousands of pounds from a city charity.

The Evening News told yesterday how the Phoenix Club on Harrison Place was attacked by vandals who set fire to toys, smashed windows, and even killed their pet fish.

Fundraisers at the Capital's Cash for Kids Appeal immediately responded to the plight of the Harrison Playgroup, which has been based at the club for 40 years, and pledged 3,000 to get them back on their feet.

Play leader Tor Bretherton was left speechless by the donation, which should hopefully see children return to the club within a month.

She said: "It's amazing news. I can't believe it. It's just fantastic to have the backing of Cash for Kids. I'm just lost for words."

Club owner Jake Milligan, 69, was also "extremely pleased" with the donation, and has pledged to get to work as soon as possible to get the club, which is also home to a drop-in centre for the disabled, in order.

He said: "The club is a regular target for vandals and after this latest attack I'd genuinely considered packing it all in, but this donation will ensure that we can keep the doors open.

"I'm hoping to get some glaziers in at the weekend to take a look at the smashed glass, and the place still needs a proper clean before we can even think about letting the kids back in but this donation means that we can move fast."

As well as toys, furniture and appliances being set on fire, windows and glass were smashed, paint was smeared over the walls, and petty cash was stolen in the incident in the early hours of Monday morning. Human excrement was left on the floor and the pet fish were found dead after their tank was smashed.

After reading about the attack in the Evening News, Cash for Kids trustees pledged help.

Charity manager Lesley Fraser-Taylor said: "We are a local charity set up to help local kids, and we have the means to respond very quickly to help organisations in urgent need.

"The Phoenix is a very special club to the kids that play there, and it's sickening that mindless thugs should want to take away such simple pleasures from children."

Local businessman Jon Clemence, 35, the man behind the city's Wannaburger chain and owner of the nearby Caley Sample Room pub, takes his children – Archie, four, and Freddie, two – to the club.

He has pledged to offer financial support and has called on other businesses and individuals to donate toys and materials.

He said: "The parents are committed to bringing it back to a useable condition and there are some things that might speed the process up such as linoleum floor tiles, safety glass, ceiling tiles and toys.

"I'll be offering my own financial support and I'm sure every other parent would be willing to do so as well, whether it's 10, 100 or just by giving up a bit of valuable time."