Eleventh hour funding saves disabled children's play centre from closure

Boomerang Play Centre, in Woodhill Street, was just days away from shutting down after cash reserves gradually drained away since it opened it 2011.

But news came through on Tuesday evening that the centre had found a generous backer in Heywood-based charity the Trewan Sands Children’s (TSC) Trust, and will survive for the foreseeable future.

Founder and owner Emma Birkett, who set up the centre after she could not find anywhere suitable for her disabled daughter Ellie to play, expressed her delight at the news.

She said: “Since I put the post on Facebook to say that we are staying open, it has been seen by more than 30,000 people, which just shows how valued we are.

“This was really a final hour sort of thing. Until Tuesday we didn’t know what was going to happen and I think we are all still in shock that we’ve managed to do it.

“Trewan Sands Children’s Trust are a great charity too and after they read about the problems we had they decided to do something to stop us closing.”

Boomerang, which was carefully designed to provide equipment for children with a range of disabilities, are still seeking further sponsorship and donations to continue investing in new equipment.

The centre will also be applying to other funding initiatives, but Mrs Birkett is confident that Boomerang’s money troubles will be a thing of the past thanks to the backing from the charity, which provides holidays for disabled and terminally ill children.

The 38-year-old, from Brandlesholme, added: “The last few weeks, and the last 48 hours especially, have been a total whirlwind and it’s just amazing.

“This bit of funding gives us some leeway until we can secure a few more sources of income, so we should be absolutely fine from now on.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring or donating to Boomerang can contact Emma on 0161 7644842 or e-mail boomerangplaycentre@yahoo.co.uk

Donations can also be made online here