With 2026 officially in full swing, it’s time for the Playdale CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Team to share what they’ve been up to, and to proudly reveal the total amount raised for our two staff-chosen charities: St Mary’s Hospice and Mind in Furness.
Our 2025 efforts brought people together in ways that truly embody what the new Playdale brand stands for: play for everyone, play for friendship, and play for fun.
Over the year, we hosted 11 much-loved Lunch Clubs. Thanks to the CSR team, once a month, staff could swap packed lunches for a delicious home-cooked lunch (including jacket potatoes, curries and even ‘posh dogs’). And of course, our festive tradition returned in December, with our tasty Festive Baps making another appearance.
In September, teams of staff and their families took part in St Mary’s Hospice’s Walk to Remember. A 10-mile walk in the night from Ulverston to Barrow-in-Furness! Their dedication, endurance and generosity helped contribute £1,075 to the hospice’s 2025 fundraising efforts.
Alongside the Walk to Remember, members of the Playdale team and their families also laced up for the Mental Elf Run in support of Mind in Furness in December. Unbothered by the rain, they took on 5km around Ford Park, Ulverston. With every stride, puddle splash, and finish-line cheer, they helped drive awareness and fundraising forward for mental health support right here in Furness.
Building on the success of previous years, the CSR Team organised two community bus trips, inviting both staff and members of the public to book a seat. During May, we tripped to Liverpool for a day of shopping and sightseeing, followed by a festive outing to Manchester’s city centre in November. Each ticket came with bus bingo, breakfast bags, full stomachs, and plenty of community spirit.
The team also hosted two charity quiz nights in June and October, complete with raffles, only made possible by generous donations from local businesses. Across both evenings, we raised an incredible amount for our charity pot through quiz entries, stand-up bingo, Play Your Cards Right, and raffle tickets. Proving that a bit of healthy competition goes even further when it’s for a good cause.
December brought us creativity, as Nicola (our Procurement Lead and resident florist) donated her time to host a Christmas wreath-making session. With hot chocolates, festive music, and beautiful homemade wreaths for participants to take home.
Alongside these larger events, 2025 was filled with smaller but no less meaningful fundraisers, including a Halloween bake sale, football sweepstake cards, and a well-stocked tuck shop that kept energy high and snack cravings satisfied throughout the year.
In 2025, we raised approximately £4,245 for our two charities, plus an additional £1,075 for St Mary’s Hospice through the Walk to Remember.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported us this year, whether you took part, donated, volunteered, or cheered from the sidelines. Your support made every event bigger, brighter, and better. We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store as we continue to play for the future and make an impact that lasts far beyond the year.
Pride in Place Funding for Local Authorities: Delivering Community Playgrounds Investing in high-quality playground infrastructure enables Local Authorities to maximise Pride in Place funding while delivering a visible, long-term community impact. Transforming investment into stronger, more connected communities The UK Government’s Pride in Place funding programme is a powerful opportunity to invest in […]
Playground design in the UK has been evolving rapidly as we move through 2026, with changes in playground equipment, school playground design, and community spaces driving new expectations. At Playdale, we believe playgrounds are more than just an outdoor space. They’re a vital part of creating healthier, more connected communities. As part of our Play […]
Inclusive playground design, done well, is invisible, not because it’s hidden, but because it’s so naturally woven into the design that no child has to think about it. They just play. Together. It’s about more than just adding a single accessible feature. It’s about creating spaces where all children can play together. More Than […]
