COMMUNITY-minded Rebecca Gardner has been doing her bit all for her local park after discovering that the only fundraising event to help maintain it had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Becca, aged 11, is well on the way to raising £500 for the Upton Snodsbury Recreational Association to help pay for the upkeep of the MUGA (multi-use games area) in the village.

Mum Joanna, who chairs the charity, said: “Rebecca came to our AGM and heard us talking about our lack of funds and offered to help with raising money.”

Becca grew sunflowers and sold them to raise £35, but the star part of her fundraising efforts were, quite literally, her sponsored star jumps, which have brought in more than £420 (and counting).

Joanna said: “USPRA is a charity and relies entirely on grants and fundraising.

“Most summers we have a fundraising event. In the past Snodfest (the music festival) was a great event, but that requires a huge team to organise.

“In the last few years, we have had a circus, and living history days which have been great fun. This year was going to be the inauguration of the Snodsbury Scramble but that had to be postponed until at least 2021.

“It was particularly aimed at replacing the baby swings which we have had to remove as the wood is rotting.

Worcester News:

“We had no fundraising to keep us going. Becca attended an AGM in the park with me and decided to help!

“We are very appreciative of the people who have sponsored her.

“Upton Snodsbury Recreational Association (USPRA) was created about 13 years ago to create somewhere for the children and youth of the village to play.

“The park has been a great focus for our community and is popular with dog walkers, runners and children.

“We have been pleased that so many people have been able to use the park when little else is available. We want to ensure that it is available for the community into the future.”