STAFF from the Worcester Warriors rugby club visited Lido Park in Droitwich this week after the club pledged £2,500 toward the replacement of the playground equipment.

Local residents and businesses joined force to fund the replacement of the equipment earlier in the month following an arson attack at the park which caused more than £11,000 worth of damage to a climbing frame and specialist flooring.

A JustGiving site was set up by Matt Nicol of Nicol & Co estate agents, and in only two weeks more than £15,000 has been raised, which hopefully means that the equipment will be able to be replaced before the end of the school summer holidays.

Stuart Brooks who works with the Worcester Warriors HITZ Warriors, tackling problems faced by young people such as unemployment, crime and disillusionment, visited the site of the playground.

He said: “I grew up in Droitwich and visited the Lido Park as a youngster, as did a number of other people at the club.

“It is based in the Wychavon district, as we are, and with our close connection to the area through our fanbase we were keen support the fundraising efforts after the fire.”

Mr Nicol added: “I would like to thank everyone at Warriors for this donation. It really does highlight the club’s commitment to supporting the local community.

“The money we have raised will mean the site will actually have better facilities than before and that will be a huge boost to everyone who uses it.”