THE volunteering charity York Cares is asking businesses and local people in the city to get involved in its latest Big Community Challenge.

This year volunteers are invited to get stuck into a renovation of the outdoor space at York’s Tang Hall Community Centre as it continues its transformation into a vibrant community hub for social enterprise and social inclusion.

Project managed by York Cares in partnership with Tang Hall Community Centre and Evora Construction, the challenge will run for three days from Monday to Wednesday June 5 to 7.

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in groups of up to ten people to give three hours of their time during a morning or afternoon slot.

In particular, the team at York Cares are on the lookout for any local businesses that may be able to donate materials such as pavers, sand, bark chips and top soil.

Caroline Wilcock, volunteering projects officer, said: “We have had a great response from business volunteers with over 150 already signed up. We are really excited to be working with local businesses and the local community to create a really fantastic outdoor space and hope that more businesses and volunteers can sign up or donate materials to help make this happen.”

Tasks that will be assigned to those taking part will include converting the basketball court into a multi-purpose outdoor space and creating a link path to the Sustrans cycle path. Efforts will also be made to make the space especially usable for local school children and their families, thanks to the creation of raised beds and a composting area for food growing projects.

To volunteer for the York Cares’ Big Community Challenge call 01904 322855 or email info@yorkcares.co.uk