A CASH-STRAPPED children’s charity has been boosted by a £24,250 grant from the Talbot Village Trust.

Playtimes at Fernheath Play Association in West Howe are now even more fun after the trust bought a zip wire and new equipment for the adventure play area.

Fernheath in Verney Road is the only fully inclusive play and short breaks centre in Bournemouth and caters for disabled, special needs and able-bodied children up to the age of 15.

It is open every day providing a safe place for children to play after school, at weekends and throughout the holidays.

Talbot Village Trust trustee Sir Michael Salt said: “It’s nice to come here and see the children enjoying the new equipment. It helps ensure they get plenty of fresh air and exercise while playing with their friends, which is vitally important.”

Paddy Williamson, chair of Fernheath, said: “We’re very grateful to the Trust who have helped us a lot over the years by contributing to the capital costs of new equipment and new buildings.

“We are fully stretched just trying to cover the wages of all our staff – we are attracting more children all the time and an increasing number of them have special needs so our staffing bill is going up.”

And Ted Taylor, former local councillor and supporter of Fernheath, said: “The Talbot Village Trust has always been very helpful and supportive to Fernheath. It’s nice to see them putting money into the community and supporting people in this area.

“The value of Fernheath is it is so inclusive, everybody is treated just the same and mixes along together. It’s too important a place to lose.”