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Animal Antics as New Children’s Playhouse Officially Unveiled

National Lottery winners from across Scotland, who rallied together to build a brand-new playhouse for a Dundee charity after vandals struck, have celebrated the grand opening of the facility.

The winners spent two days earlier this year painting and furnishing the playhouse, complete with a wildlife-inspired theme, for children at The Yard.

Now dreams have come true for the hundreds of children who use The Yard every week, with a grand opening to mark a new start and the promise of years of playtime fun and adventures to come.

National Lottery winners joined the children, their parents and carers for the official opening , many dressed in wildlife-themed costumes for the occasion.

The charity’s original gingerbread playhouse – built and gifted by National Lottery winners six years ago – was vandalised earlier this year, leaving the young people without this vital and much-loved resource.

But as soon as the team of Scottish National Lottery winners, many of whom had been involved in the original build, found out what had happened, they immediately rallied to ensure this vital lifeline could be restored.

The Yard provides a safe place for children with disabilities to experience and enjoy exciting and adventurous indoor and outdoor play, and it has previously secured more than £24,000 in National Lottery funding for its three play centres based in Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife.

Jim and Pam Forbes, from Tayport, who won £655,838 on EuroMillions in September 2017, were among the winners who helped to create the new playhouse.

Jim said, “It was absolutely fabulous to be able to attend the official opening of the new wildlife-themed playhouse – especially after everything which The Yard has been through. Being able to step in and help with other kind-hearted National Lottery winners has meant the world to us – seeing the smiles on the faces of all of the children today was a very special golden moment. We wish all of them many hours, days and years of playtime fun.”

Gill Thomson, Service Development Manager at The Yard, added, “It is a day we will never forget. Our world literally fell apart after vandals struck and never did we ever believe we would get to where we are today. We are so grateful to everyone who has rallied and supported us – and in particular all of the huge-hearted National Lottery winners from across Scotland. We will all be forever grateful!”

Joining Jim and Pam at the opening, were: Brian and Ann Sharp, from Musselburgh, who won £2M in 2010; Sheila and Duncan Davidson, from Alford, who won £4.5M in 2012; Ray Storey, from Dundee, who won £1.5M in 2015; Bill and Fiona McKenna, from Dunbartonshire, who won £1.2M in 2012; Barry and Roberta Little, from Dumfries, who won £1M in 2013 and Libby Elliot, from Fife, who won £2.1M in 2012.

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30M is generated every week for Good Causes across the UK, like The Yard.

For more information, visit www.theyardscotland.org.uk

ENDS