Spread the news .. vote for Carnany!

The contest would improve things greatly for children and young people in the local community, however they are in competition with two other Northern Ireland play areas in Belfast and Londonderry...and so desperately need YOUR vote!

Carnany is a small estate situated on the outskirts of the town of Ballymoney. The estate has suffered and endured great tragedy but has also proved to be resilient and its residents have displayed a self help attitude.

The Community Association, working with Ballymoney Borough Council is trying to provide recreational opportunities for people of all ages. A new playground provides opportunities for children to play and parents or carers to interact. Playgrounds have a vital role to play in child development and the play area in Carnany is starting to show signs of being very ‘tired’.

Declan Donnelly of Ballymoney Borough Council appealed: “Although small, the people and community association have over the years shown a tremendous resilience especially through some very troubled times.

“They now have a chance to upgrade their playground providing a necessary resource for children and young people in the area. Help inject a new lease of life into this tired playground – by voting you could help refresh the existing playground equipment and make it an even better space for children to let loose and have fun

“Please do what you can, I know it might be difficult to vote every day between now and the 30 September but give it a lash. The winner will be decided by on-line voting at www.flora.com/playground. The play area with most votes wins the money!

“If you click on the link then click on ‘filter’ to bring up the Northern Ireland entrants you can then vote for Carnany. You can vote once per day from now until 30 September so please get clicking! Please also get your family and friends to vote. As they say “Every little helps..” Winning this would be a major boost for the estate.”

The Flora Facebook page explains: “Working with Groundwork the community charity with a green heart, we’re going to give one community playground a really inspiring makeover. It could be monkey bars, gardens, giant snakes and ladders and much more in between - but whatever it is, we’re set to transform the tarmac at the heart of your local area.

“Want your playground to win? Before our imagination runs riot, we need to find a winner. So get neighbours, nurseries, schools, friends and family voting! We’ve even got nearby Tesco stores on board to help you drum up local support.”

Declan added: “I know I am a pain with my constant requests for support, be it telephone or online voting but it was thanks to everyone who voted for Cloughmills in the People’s Millions or for Patrick Frew in the National Trust Awards, that everyones efforts were successful - lets work together again for the future of the Carnany community!”