A refurbished playpark will provide families of an Orkney Isle community with hours of fun for years to come.
Children of Rousay got their first chance to enjoy the new equipment at the grand opening on 10 October following a determined fundraising campaign, supported by Cooke Scotland’s Community Benefit Fund.
The previous playpark was in poor condition and often off limits to the children. And so, the Rousay Parent Council worked hard to secure the funding required for this new installation which will give the children a place to socialise and interact with their peers while gaining exercise and developing skills.
Rousay pupils Jude Hind, Rupert Mutchin, Mason Miller. Photo credit: Orkney Photographic
Cooke employs more than 145 people across Orkney and its northern isles, including those based at our three salmon farms near Rousay.
Rousay Seawater Site Manager at Cooke Scotland, Ben Smith, joined the local community at the grand opening. He said: “It was a windy day for the event, but we got to see the new playground equipment and the kids and parents all looked delighted with it.
“That’s what Cooke Scotland’s Community Benefit Fund is all about – bringing positive change to the areas where we live and farm-raise our premium Scottish salmon. We would like to thank the Rousay playpark committee for their hospitality at the event.”
Based next to the Rousay School, the new park was designed with input from the local children, and the new equipment comes with a 20-year guarantee as well as minimal maintenance requirements.
Cooke was among other contributors to provide financial support to the campaign led by the isle’s parent council. Its Chairwomen, Julia Cussans, said: “It encourages people to get active, get outside, which is obviously good for them physically and good for them mentally.
Rousay pupils Keira Fawcett-Dews and Freida Mustchin. Photo credit: Orkney Photographic
“And it’s for anybody that visits the island. We are always trying to attract families to visit or move to Rousay, so hopefully it should help with that.
“The decision from Cooke to support us with funding was prompt and allowed us to push forward with our project. We are thrilled that such a large business were able to support us.”