Campaigners for a brand new playpark in Gatehouse are celebrating after smashing their cash target.
Volunteer Riverbank fundraisers have defied the odds to reel in an incredible £100,000.
Eyebrows were raised when the group announced their project would cost £86,000.
But a two-year drive to transform the play area quickly won community and charitable backing.
And when Scottish property industry charity Spifox chipped in £13,000, the total rocketed through six figures. Campaign organiser Tarena Dickie said: “It is fantastic news. We have successfully secured all our funding.
“Now we all can’t wait to see it being built. All the kids are super excited.
“We have achieved this for the local children both now and in years to come. It will benefit an awful lot of people.”
Mum-of-two Tarena said: “The local fire brigade, the school, TGB [The Gatehouse Bunker] the YMCA, all our supporters – it has been a real community effort.
“And Gatehouse Development Initiative have supported us throughout by providing administrative support and handling all cheques and donations.”
Asked if she was ever worried the campaign would founder, she replied: “There was one point at the beginning of the year when we were struggling with deadlines.
“But then the Holywood Trust increased their contribution to £30,000 and extended the deadline. That gave us extra time to raise the money.
“There was also a risk that some of the cash pledges would be retracted.
“But we did a couple of extra fundraisers ourselves and that also helped.”
Tarena, 40, added: “The extra money will enable the taking out of public liability insurance and pay for a service level agreement with the council to maintain the park for 25 years.
“We are also hoping to buy some picnic tables made from recycled plastic from a firm near Dumfries.
“All we are waiting on now is the lease with the landowner DGHP to be drawn up.”
The council has indicated it will remove the old climbing frame free of charge, Tarena said.
Play attractions will include a disabled-friendly roundabout, pod swing, swings and baby swing.
A big climbing frame, slide, flying fox, see-saws and sensory games will also feature.
