A play area funded by a tireless group of volunteers has been officially named after the woman who spearheaded the campaign to get it built.

The Grandparents and Parents Play Association (GAPPA) spent a year raising over £40,000 to build a new playground in Halesworth, led by Jane Kircher.

And last weekend, the Jane Kircher Play Area was officially opened with a family fun day.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Ms Kircher. “It’s something we’ve worked at and we’ve actually achieved it.

“All I know is I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the GAPPA crew. It has been a community effort and I just feel absolutely, totally overjoyed. Completely overwhelmed.”

Clare Spindler from the GAPPA committee said it was a fitting name for the play area. “Jane has been an incredible leader,” she said. “She has been absolutely amazing and we’re all very proud of her.”

Held on Sunday in the Town Park, the fun day included a number of charity stalls from groups including the Lions, 1st Halesworth Scouts, The Blayze’ing Star Charity and nine-year-old Edgar Sewter pupil Connor Cross held a stall in aid of Act for Wildlife.

And, during a brief pause in the activities, Ms Kircher thanked all the groups, charities, businesses and individuals who had contributed to the fundraising and cut a ribbon to declare the play area officially open.

“This is such a special day for myself and GAPPA,” she said. “So children, we hope you have many happy hours in this new play area.”

The new equipment, which includes a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, a basket swing, slides and climbing equipment, cost in the region of £42,000.

The GAPPA team secured enough to fund the new equipment entirely – through donations and grants provided by Halesworth Town Council, the Co-op Community Fund, One Foundation and Flagship and many local businesses.

The sign naming the play area was funded by Halesworth Town Council, as councillors felt it would be the best way to acknowledge the efforts of the GAPPA group.

Are you fundraising for charity? Email the details to polly.grice@archant.co.uk