Appleton Recreation Association (ARA) is a charity that is run by a very small committee of residents from Appleton Wiske, North Yorkshire.

We carried out a survey in 2016 among the children of Appleton Wiske and surrounding area, who attend the village primary school, asking them what they would like to see at the recreation field. Suggestions were many and varied but the main things were for a Multi Use Game Area (MUGA) and some play equipment for older children.

Thanks to the donation of play park equipment from Persimmon Homes we were in a position to grant one of these wishes.

Between the 22nd and 25th November 2017 a number of unknown individuals have seen fit to use stihl saws to cut up much of the equipment that was donated and then to remove many of the items. These were being stored while we waited for a team of people to install them and the specialist surface.

Thanks to this disgusting behaviour we now find ourselves in a position where we can not meet the wishes of the children of the village and surrounding areas without looking for additional funding.

If you can find it in your heart to help us raise the funds to replace the equipment that has been damaged and stolen it would be very much appreciated and restore our faith in mankind.