Fundraising campaign for fire-ravaged Doncaster playground raises £3,600 in hours

The wood-built climbing tower in the middle of Sandall Beat Woods was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in the early hours of Friday morning.

Upset locals and campaigners have instantly rallied though with hundreds of pounds rolling in in just a matter of hours after a crowdfunding campaign was set up.

A spokesman for Friends of Sandall Beat Woods said: “We are absolutely devastated to report there was a serious incident at the woods and the main play equipment has burned down. It would be unfair to speculate as to exactly what happened and it is in the hands of the police.

“It is clear from the messages of support that we are not the only ones upset by the loss of this equipment which was an amazing asset to our community, especially at a time when we have all come to value our outside spaces.

"This equipment was one of the few free places in Doncaster that was suitable for a broader age range of children too.

“Thank you for all your messages of support.”

The charred ruins of the play equipment were discovered early yesterday morning by mum Nicola Phillips as she strolled through the beauty spot with her son and dog.

She said: "It is such a mess. All the wood had burned. It must have been quite a fire, to burn, as it has been such bad weather. Absolutely disgusting behaviour.”

You can donate to the campaign HERE