CREDITON and District Playscheme is appealing to Crediton Tesco store customers to support them in its bid for a grant awarded by the “Tesco Bags of Help Scheme”.

The local children’s charity is one of three groups that is being voted on by customers of the retailer, with the chance to be awarded a grant up to £4,000.

The voting runs throughout November and December and the organisation is keen to take advantage of what is the busiest shopping period of the year.

The group’s secretary, Bridget Ashplant, outlined what it is that the group do for local children with special needs: “The Crediton Playscheme was set up around 30 years ago to provide a service for children with physical disability labels, mental health diagnosis and learning difficulties.

“The Playscheme runs a programme of events and activities during the year, the main body of which is our Summer Programme. The trips and activities provide our children with social bonding opportunities as well as education, independence and, most importantly, fun!”

Bridget continued: “The Playscheme accepts children from around six years-old up to 16 and they are referred to us from educational and medical professionals. All of the children are from Crediton and the surrounding areas.”

But it is not only the children that benefit from their time with Crediton Playscheme; families and volunteers profit from the work that they do too.

Bridget explains: “For the families we provide respite where parents, and when applicable siblings, can take advantage of the days away from the pressures of enhanced parenting and enjoy themselves without the worry of their normal routine.”

Crediton Playscheme’s volunteers are the backbone of the charities work, indeed everybody associated with the group gives their time for free so that every penny that is raised or donated is put towards the running of it, and the vast majority of money is spent providing the trips and activities.

The Playscheme however, reciprocates the kindness and commitment of its volunteer team whenever it can and Bridget says of this arrangement: “Over the years we have, for those that required it, provided references that have led to our volunteers gaining employment and educational opportunities. Indeed, only last summer one of our girls spent the summer with the ‘Camp America’ organisation. In the past we have also helped volunteers gain positions in social care and education employment.”

The Crediton and District Playscheme continues to go from strength-to-strength and in this last year alone welcomed 10 new children to its ranks, children that it hopes will spend another five to 10 years enjoying the work that they do and becoming part of “The Playscheme Family”.

Bridget concluded with a final appeal to the shoppers of Tesco: “An organisation such as ours depends totally on the generosity of others. That may be the time that the committee puts into organising and running the group.

“The volunteers who allow us to provide the service and enjoyment that we give to the children and their families. And, of course, anybody that organises a fundraising event or the individuals that spare some loose change when we are out and about collecting. “Please think of the Crediton and District Playscheme when you are casting your vote with your blue token and thank you in advance to everybody that drops that blue token in our voting slot. Your support is very much appreciated.”

To see more about the Crediton and District Playscheme,visit the website: www.creditonplayscheme.org or search “Crediton Playscheme” on “Facebook”.