Asda Worksop donates £1,990 to Oasis Community Gardens project

The money will be used to purchase play equipment that will benefit children of all ages and abilities across the community.

The Asda Foundation donation will contribute to a wider £65,000 project that will see the park gain inclusive areas of play for use by local youth groups, such as Treasured Kids, which offers respite care to parents of children with additional needs and disabilities.

The gardens receive up to 10,000 visitors per year and have been central to the local community under lockdown, offering a place for children to play outdoors in a safe environment.

In response to the pandemic the community centre has also launched Operation Oasis to distribute food hampers and toiletries to those in need.

After hearing about the work carried out by Oasis volunteers, Emma Bradbury, Asda Worksop community champion, has also pledged to donate food in support of the project.

Steve Williams, centre manager, said: “For Worksop and the Kilton estate it’s really important that we make the play park extra special.

“It’s our 10th anniversary next year and we want to launch the new park in the Spring for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re really grateful for the support of businesses like Asda in helping us to buy new equipment.

“So far we’ve given out 3,000 food hampers, so everything helps.”

Emma added: “Oasis, Steve and the team were very deserving of the grant and I know they are extremely grateful for everything they receive.

"Not only have Steve and the volunteers been distributing food to the community, but they have also delivered flowers grown from the Oasis garden.

"The flowers would normally be sold for a small amount, which all goes back in to support their many projects, but due to Covid they were unable to do this so simply gave them away to raise a smile.

“It’s things like this that make this group such a wonderful part of the community and a pleasure to work with.”