EVESHAM Adventure Playground Association organisers are celebrating after the group was given a cheque for £20,000.

Staff at Evesham-based powder handling experts Matcon have spent the last 12 months on a variety of fundraising events including a Bake-Off competition and Static Bike Challenge, raising almost £2,000.

This was backed by a substantial donation from IDEX, which acquired Matcon in 2012.

The firm has been working closely over the last 12 months with the association, a local charity set-up to ensure children, young people and families have the space to have fun together in an environment that challenges and inspires the mind and body.

As well as their out of school childcare schemes and youth clubs, they also host a community pantry which is open daily with surplus food provided by local supermarkets otherwise destined for landfill.

When Matcon approached the association, they had recently been given the opportunity by the local council to extend and develop their current playground space into an adjacent grass area.

Dave Boucker, association programme manager, said: “We are looking forward to using the funding towards buying the materials and machinery to enable us to build a new and safe fence around the perimeter of the playground, also towards finalising the expansion of our community pantry.

"One major investment will be towards an Electric Panel Van, this will enable us to reduce our carbon footprint whilst out on our daily collections of surplus produce from local supermarkets, to stock the community pantry."