We are heartbroken that the Markfield Project’s adventure playground was partially destroyed by a huge fire in the early hours of Friday 22nd May.Markfield’s accessible playground is used by around 700 disabled and non-disabled children and young people each year, from all over Haringey and beyond. During the covid-19 pandemic we have found creative ways to support the community – including pioneering ‘socially-distanced’ play sessions that have been a lifeline for disabled children and their parents.Fortunately no-one was hurt in the fire, and the Markfield building was not affected. Some parts of the playground were saved due to the quick response of the Fire Brigade who came and put out the fire, after being summoned by an early morning park walker. The police are still investigating the cause – it appears to have started in the park outside the playground, and then spread.We have quickly arranged for a specialist demolition team to take down the burnt play structures, and make the rest safe, and we have fenced off the affected areas and had in volunteer teams to clear up. The remaining play structures have been inspected and signed off as safe to use, and so we have now re-open for our one family at a time socially-distanced play sessionsWe are hugely grateful for the fantastic show of support from the community. Now we are making plans for the full restoration of the playground, and we are determined to use this awful event as an opportunity to restore the playground to be even better than it was before.We have set up a crowd fundraiser towards the costs of the re-build.

Please consider contributing if you can Our Go Fund Me Page

About Markfield:Markfield is an inclusive community hub in Tottenham, north London, where people can play, socialise, and get information & support. The charity was created more than 35 years ago by parents of disabled children to create a space for inclusive play. It provides a diverse range of services for disabled children, young people and adults, parents, carers and siblings. The charity’s aims are to enable disabled and autistic people to be themselves and live life to the full.

For more information about our charity please visit www.markfield.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @MarkfieldProj

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