THE end of a long campaign to raise funds for a new playpark in Hillend is in sight.

Four local mums, Emma Cockburn, Stephanie Hubach-Thomson, Lesa MacKenzie and Jennifer Campbell, first swung into action in October 2018 as they felt the existing facility was dangerous and not fit for purpose.

They have now raised over £120,000 and are just £7,000 off their target which, once achieved, will see the creation of a specially-designed facility for local kids to enjoy.

Emma Cockburn said the project had been considerably longer than originally planned.

"The first meeting was back in October 2018 when we heard the council had a bit of extra money and we could apply and see if we got some," she explained.

"Between meetings with them and finding out what the kids wanted, then we just started to fundraise and the pandemic hit. With the pandemic, and Brexit and inflation, prices increased.

"Our original target was £100,000 to £110,000. With all of that, the prices rocketed up. Even though we have cut back a bit, the target is now still £131,000.

"From our initial research and consulting the local kids, we were desperate not to get rid of any of the equipment we had planned. We were pleased we have not had to do that. We have still everything they asked us for."

As well as grant applications, cash has been raised from donations and the group is also set to be one of the causes to benefit from the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Rotary Club's Junefest, a gin and run festival, which is taking place on August 20.

Having coming up with a design, the park will have a toddler area with a climbing frame, slide, swings and a train while an area for older ones will feature climbing bars, a trim trail, swings as well as a short zip slide.

"The thing a lot of people wanted was a zip slide. They have managed in the design to put in a short zip slide but that's amazing we can fit that in. It is going to be amazing," said Emma.

"We are hoping we will get the last funding in the next month. We have a couple of grant applications in and if these are good, we should have funding in place and can go out to tender.

"We hope to have it in place by early next year so the end is in sight. Even the build time is much longer now because of demand. "It has been challenging. It has just been us four working mums. We all have two kids and our older ones are eight. Hopefully they will get a couple of years play out of it!"

Anyone wanting to help with fundraising for the park, can do so by visiting https://gofund.me/c968c5ce.