Gotts Park: Defiant Leeds parents set up fundraiser to replace fire-ravaged play equipment

The playground in Gotts Park, Armley, had only opened in March this year, following years of fundraising and political pressure by local campaigners for children to have a place to play.

The site was set on fire over the weekend, destroying play equipment and rendering much of the site dangerous for children to enter.

But a group of local parents have fought back, setting up a fundraising campaign within days of the incident in order to get all the equipment replaced.

At the time of writing, the campaign has already raised more than £1,600.

Cat Hyde, who set up Friends of Armley and Gotts Park, and was involved in the original park renovation, said: "We originally did this because we felt the kids of Armley deserved more. It took six-to-eight years to get it done.

"I was really upset when I saw what happened – devastated, angry, gutted – all of those feelings.

"On top of the rises in energy bills that were coming in, it was just a depressing weekend.”

Within a couple of days, a crowdfunding campaign was set up by Cat to replace the play equipment.

Cat added the group wants new play equipment in place by next Spring.

"I don’t want this to take too long,” said Cat. “It took us eight years to get it to where it was, and this is just not fair to the kids of Armley.

"I would also like local businesses to contribute to this. It shouldn’t be on the residents of Armley who are having to stretch their purses at the moment.

"Why should we fork out for a senseless, mindless act?”

Following the incident at the weekend, the YEP was told the climbing frame was now “gone altogether”, while swings and equipment were also damaged. The tarmac around the frame is also said to be peppered with rubble and bits of metal, meaning it is unsafe for children to use.

Those wishing to donate to the fundraising campaign can visit the gofundme page.