Community backs roof bid

AKinross playgroup has set a fivefigure target to fund a major structural overhaul that will help ensure its future for another 300 years.

Swansacre Playgroup are trying to raise £35,000 to replace a leaky roof and repair storm-damaged brickwork at their Kinross home.

Bosses also need to raise cash for a new boiler, electrics, windows, doors and heating system to keep their youngsters warm when they are able to return after lockdown.

Located in the Loch Leven town’s protected Conservation Area, the playgroup has seen hundreds of tots make their earliest memories at over the last five decades.

But a slew of structural worries in both the playgroup, which was once two homes, and the rear extension, have begun to pile up and committee members have a growing list of increasingly urgent repairs to deal with.

The playgroup’s board already fundraise to keep fees as low as they can and saw many of the events usually scheduled to take place over the winter to boost their coffers kiboshed.

Last week bosses at the playgroup, which has recently become a 1,140 hours funded provider, launched an online fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of a new roof.

Already, parents, neighbours and local businesses have helped raise more than £2,000, but there’s still a long way to go for the playgroup which is “the heart and soul of the community”.

Fundraising manager Nicola McGourty said that they realised they needed to do something when leaks appeared at her daughter Mhairi’s 4th birthday party exactly a year ago.

She said: “We noticed last year that there was water leaking through in a few places.

“The windows and doors are needing upgrading and the boiler doesn’t always work. It really needs some TLC.

“We fundraise anyway to keep fees down but this year, we’ve been forced to cancel things like our Christmas fair too.

“Parents and businesses have been really generous so far and we’re really grateful.”

You can donate to the fundraiser by searching for “Swansacre Playgroup” on gofundme.com

CAMPAIGN: Fundraising manager Nicola McGourty, daughter Mhairi, 4, and committee chairwoman Natalie Loughney aim to raise £35,000 for Swansacre Playgroup repairs.