Article published on 16 April 2020
The arrival of the recent pandemic has given me some time to reflect on my involvement in some very special play and sports ventures. Each one has involved meeting new people, getting to know them and their project aspirations, and then trying to deliver it for them!
The year 2020 marked my twentieth year of working in the international industry that designs and builds outdoor playgrounds, outdoor gyms and outdoor multi-use games areas. For the past eight years, I have been the principal customer contact in Scotland for Proludic Limited.
Local authorities, housebuilders, schools, community groups, hotels and various other market sectors are regularly involved in our industry, with great diversity in their demands and budgets.
As you can imagine, I have to travel a lot to ensure that relationships are maintained. And I apply the personal touch myself.
It is always exciting when we complete the site works and open new play areas to the children. This was certainly the case when I was fortunate to win the order to restore a local park in Edinburgh a couple of years ago – namely Saughton Park. Little did I know then that it hosted the Proludic’s ‘Golden Salamander’ treasure hunt as part of our own 30th birthday anniversary celebrations. The park was an exemplary project! It utilised our Grafic Games finish on a locomotive unit along with a colourful wet pour design. Presenting the prize to the young winner who found our hidden Salamander mascot in the park was also a joy.
However, four years ago I stumbled across a project that surpassed everything I had done in the industry to date. We had a call from a charity group called ‘It’s Good 2 Give’.
The group were in the throes of building a purpose-built sanctuary for children affected by cancer. They were looking to add some appropriate outdoor play equipment for the children and their families who would be staying at the Ripple Retreat.
This has proved to be one of the most interesting and inspiring projects that I have been involved in. It is something that has become very close to the hearts of everyone at Proludic. We have added additional pieces of play equipment on three occasions. Each time, our involvement with this great cause was a privilege. Including the recent gift of a puppy springer.
The charity is now approaching its 10th year. To mark the occasion they want to get their Facebook page likes up from 5k to 10k. If you wouldn’t mind, please help them achieve their birthday mark by clicking on the link below.
Add your support by ‘liking’ and ‘sharing’ on Facebook
Donate to the itsgood2give campaign.
Please check out the video and visit the It’s Good 2 Give’ website.
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