Wheelchair swing unveiled in Melton’s Play Close

The launch this week of the new AbilitySwing at Melton's Play Park, from left, town bailiff Billy Boulding, Gordon Wells and Dannii Donovan (The Romy Fund Melton Children's Charity), chairman of town estate feoffees John Southerington and senior townwarden Ian Wilkinson
PHOTO DEREK WHITEHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY EMN-200209-104839001 — The launch this week of the new AbilitySwing at Melton's Play Park, from left, town bailiff Billy Boulding, Gordon Wells and Dannii Donovan (The Romy Fund Melton Children's Charity), chairman of town estate feoffees John Southerington and senior townwarden Ian Wilkinson PHOTO DEREK WHITEHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY EMN-200209-104839001

The £100,000 scheme, in the town’s Play Close park, was officially opened back in July by MP Alicia Kearns.

And hundreds of children and young people aged up to 15 have so far enjoyed playing on the equipment.

And now the installation of an AbilitySwing allows wheelchair users to join in the fun.

It was provided by The Romy Fund Melton Children’s Charity to widen the inclusivity of the play park, which was a collaboration between Melton Mowbray Town Estate, Melton Borough Council and Melton BID.

After cutting a ribbon to unveil the new swing on Tuesday afternoon, Gordon Wells, of the Romy Fund, told the Melton Times: “We wanted to provide something extra in the park for those young people who are not as free in their movement.

“With our charity being here to help local children, we felt it was appropriate to fund this excellent piece of equipment so those who are in wheelchairs can safely enjoy swinging too.”

Parents can go to the borough council office on Parkside to pick up a special key so they can unlock the swing.

Users are asked to lock both the swing and the gate surrounding it after use to safeguard the equipment from vandalism or other damage.

Go online at www.youtube.com/watch? v=Dpid6Hu9WN4 to see how to safely use the new Ability Swing.