Bolton business to fund £70,000 playground for ill youngsters

Staff at online electrical retailer AO.com, based in Horwich, are planning to take part in a gruelling 600-mile bike ride from Germany to Bolton, hoping to raise £35,000 to go towards the building of the playground at Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.

The retailer’s charitable arm, the AO Smile Foundation, will double the amount raised, meaning that £70,000 could be put towards the new facility, which will be used by terminally ill children and their siblings.

The hospice has been given the go ahead for the new playground, which will be one of the first of its kind in the North West. It is being supplied by Wicksteed Playgrounds and will include wheelchair-friendly roundabouts and swings that can also be used by their brothers and sisters.

Steve Caunce is AO’s Chief Operating Officer and s leading the cycle team on their journey from the firm’s new German operation in Heppendorf, near Cologne to Bolton.

He said: “The team at AO is thrilled to be involved in the build of a truly life-changing children’s park in the North West.

“Twenty of our staff will be undertaking one of the toughest, yet most exhilarating challenges of their lives, as they cycle from our German head office back to UK headquarters in Bolton, in a bid to raise funds.

“Knowing the money raised will be used to give siblings the chance to play together will provide all the motivation the AO team needs to gear up to the challenge ahead.”

Georgina Cox, chief executive at Derian House said: “This amazing new facility will make a huge difference to the lives of our families.

“Many of the children we look after who have life-shortening conditions also have a brother or sister, and there are not many places their parents can take them where they can play together. We are so grateful to the AO Smile Foundation and the staff who’ll be cycling such a long way to allow this to happen.”

To sponsor the team on their charity challenge, visit justgiving.com/DerianPlay/