Volunteers help to transform playing fields (From York Press)

Volunteers help to transform playing fields

3:35pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Press reporter

MORE THAN 150 people are this week helping to transform playing fields into an outdoor classroom and community gardens.

About 60 volunteers started at the York Cares Big Community Challenge site, off Haxby Road, yesterday, with workers from City of York Council, Network Rail, DE Ford, Aviva, the University of York and TSYS helping to create raised beds, a shelter, and pathways around the Greenfields site.

Members of The Press team will join in this week, along with companies including Benenden Healthcare, Coalters, Evora Construction, FERA, HE Academy, Langleys, North Yorkshire Police, Pension and Benefit Services, Tesco Askham Bar, Wipro Technologies, York Marriott Hotel, and York St John University.

Richard Elam of Evora Construction, said: “Today has been mainly clearing up and getting the gear in and setting it up for the challenge of the week.

“The growing teamj made significant inroads setting up the raised beds to be used by the children, and Swallow Hill Golf Club saved a hell of a lot of work and ade the place look better by cutting the grass.”

Nick Gott from TSYS and Martijn Huibers from Network Rail both attended the first day, after receiving emails from York Cares at work.

Nick said: “It’s an excellent worthwhilecause for the community.”

Marijn said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, and it gives us a nice change of work. It’s always nice to have a day out, but it’s a shame about the weather.”

A new sign to the site will be designed by Haxby Road Primary School pupils, and will be placed at the entrance to the new community facility on Thursday, when the challenge ends.

Most of the materials for the project have been donated or locally sourced, but the team still need bark chippings to finish off the site. Anyone who can help provide them should contact York Cares on 01904 323482 or email info@yorkcares.co.uk