TRIKERI ISLAND PLAYGROUND PROJECT

TRIKERI ISLAND

Trikeri Island is located at the southern-most tip of the Pelion, on the eastern mainland of Greece overlooking the Pagastic Gulf. It is only about 1.5 miles long by about .75 miles wide, with no roads or vehicles; donkeys and horses providing most of the transport. Approximately 75 people live there all year round, but numbers are boosted by the tourist trade to about 250 during the summer months as the area is renowned for its excellent sailing conditions and idyllic, peaceful atmosphere. About 2000 people visit during the two days of the September Festival to pay their respects at the monastery which dominates the island and they bring much needed income to the two tavernas and other small businesses operating there. Although its remoteness is part of its charm, this makes access difficult for residents and visitors alike. Its a 90-minute drive from the city of Volos follwed by a telephone call to the water taxi on Trikeri from the mainland beach to summon transport across the kilometer-wide channel to the waterside tavernas by the harbour.

THE PROBLEMS

The loss of the Volos-Trikeri ferry last year due to the funding problems, has added pressure on the community by cutting off a source of tourist income and much-needed quick access to the facilities and amenities of Volos, the attractions of which draw away most of the youth of the island who seek the excitement and careers they find there.

There is a rusty and dilapidated children's playground situated between the two tavernas at the harbour edge, with a broken roundabout and the bare skeletons of swings standing forlornly among olive trees, occasionally used in a desultory fashion by bored children whose parents may spend hours over a taverna lunch! Unfortunately, the cost of repair or renewal falls well down the priority list of the local mayor (or President as he is known) and his council and the prospect of any improvement any time soon is remote.

THE PROJECT

For several years before her death in August 2008, Chris Hollick and her husband Allan spent their holidays on Trikeri Island and, together with two other Trikeri enthusiasts Stephen Rogers and Richard Chaloner, Allan has registered a charity in the U.K. to fund the replacement of the playground with a much-improved, modern version, dedicated to Chris Hollick, as a gift to the children of visitors and residents and to repay some of the generous hospitality they have all received from local people over the years.

HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT

The charity will source the equipment from UK-based firms and arrange its shipment and construction on a site near to the exisiting playground, using local labour. In the event more money is raised than required for the project, those funds will go to non-commercial community projects on the island or to a UK-based children's playground charity to support their work here.

HOW MUCH IS NEEDED

The cost of the minimum combination of four replacement items of equipment, a slide unit, a roundabout, double swing and see-saw, including transport and construction, would appear to be about £25,000. However, it is hoped that the playground can be enhanced by the addition of more sophisticated equipment and with the addition of appropriate landscaping, a really attrative facility could be constructed in what is at present scarcely more than rough ground. Thus could be provided an amenity which,  although carefully planned to be entirely in keeping with the character of the area, would benefit from modern materials and techniques, giving a long-lasting and much-utilised enhancement to the harbour-side area.

PROGRESS SO FAR

The fund has been started by £5,000 of donations, sufficient to qualify for charity registration, and with fund-raising projects and appeals augmented by Gift Aid, it is hoped that the spring of 2009 will see sufficient income to enable site preperation to commence, with a view to completion before the end of the summer. The idea of the project has been favourably received by local representatves of the people of Trikeri and the Church, owners of the site, are also amenable to the project. Meeting with local councillers in the autumn of 2008 went well and with goodwill on all sides the project has every chance of successful completion. However, the organisers have no illusions as to the scale of the challenge and expect problems from time to time. A very interesting time lies ahead!

Thank you in advance for your kind donations,

Allan, Katie, Lucie and Lizzie