ChapelAPlay are Laura B, Beth and Laura R, a group of local mums who regularly use Chapel Allerton park. However, the current playground is completely dilapidated. The surfacing is hazardous and the equipment dated, unappealing, tired and unsafe in areas. There is nothing stimulating or attractive about it and, as a result, a huge opportunity for people to connect, play and enjoy the outdoors is being missed.
Between them they decided thay want to create a playground that the local community can take pride in and that everyone can use – parents, grandparents, carers, the wider community as a whole. They are now on a mission to raise funds to create a new playground for the local community that can be accessed, used and enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. An inclusive playground at the heart of our community. For this, they have given thought to not just the play equipment itself but also to the entire space including social seating and planting.
They have been working alongside Leeds Council Parks and Countryside Department, as well as liaising with the local community to get a clear understanding of how they can improve facilities and make the park a more enjoyable place to visit now and in the future. For the last few years, they have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the playground cause, to engage and consult with the local community and to put on awareness raising and fundraising community events.
They have held three Halloween Events for the local community including a ‘Bake Off’ themed Monster hunt – all of which have been huge successes in bringing people together to support our cause. Local businesses have worked together to support the cause; The Canteen/Fowler & Powell ‘pay as you feel’ pizza night generated £900 and the appeal were also chosen as one of the 2022 Co-Op Local Community Fund causes which helped raise an extra £2,000. Along with a combination of donations to a GoFundMe account, a grant from Wades Charity and help from local ward councillors have meant total funds raised is now over £20,000.
it was at this point that The Lodge of Dawn became involved. Having seen our recent grant for £30,000 for Meanwood Park playground, ChapelAPlay contacted The Lodge of Dawn to request a grant. The grant was to cover the cost of equipment that, due to increased costs, had to be removed from the original plan.
ChaelAPlay were successful in getting funding, a grant of £4,500 was secured, for the toddler playhouse and truck so they can now be installed once work on Phase One of the project commences. Two members of The Lodge of Dawn dropped in to the pasrk to meet the organisers and to hand over the cheque for the funds.
Laura Butterwort, from ChaelAPlay said “We were delighted to find out we had been successful with our application to West Riding Masonic Charities. Over the last few years funding for playgrounds has become harder to access. The £4,500 will enable us to add equipment back into our original plan that we hadn’t been able to previously find the funding for. This grant will make a huge difference in our efforts to give our community the playground our children deserve”.
A spokesperson for The Lodge of Dawn said, “charitable giving is a key part of masonic life. We are delighted to see our funds being used for something that supports our local community – we have members who live round the corner and who use the park. I would also like to take this opportunity to put it out there that if anyone reading this works for, knows of or simply is connected to a charity based in the North Leeds area please get in touch and we would be pleased to consider your cause for financial grant.”
Charitable giving is a key part of masonic life. You can read more about The Lodge of Dawn’s charitable activity here.
If you are a Leeds-based charity and are interested in applying for a grant, please see our simple guide here.
Joining The Lodge of Dawn
If you are not a Freemason and, having read the above, would like to find out more, read our Seven Reason to Join The Freemasons, our guide on ‘How to join The Freemasons‘ or our simple ‘What is Freemasonry?’ page.
And if you would like to join The Lodge of Dawn in Leeds, please feel free to get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page.