Gambado Fountain Park, Edinburgh’s biggest indoor soft play and party centre, has announced it will be fundraising for two outstanding, worthy charities this year, SiMBA, Simpson’s Memorial Box Appeal, and Tailor Ed Foundation.
The decision amongst staff to choose one ‘Charity of the Year’ to raise funds for became too difficult, as they are both very close to their hearts, resulting in the team at the children’s entertainment centre deciding to officially appoint both.
The charities will benefit from donations made at various events throughout the year, including the forthcoming Easter Extravaganza Fun Fortnight, which includes storytelling sessions, ceramic workshops, character visits and an Easter Disco on Friday 11th April from 12-2pm with Radio Forth’s very own DJ Mark Martin.
SiMBA was chosen in recognition of the amazing work they do supporting people who have been affected by the loss of a baby. Over £600 has been raised so far after a percentage of the entry fees on the day of a recent character visit was added to the kind donations made by visitors to the centre in fundraising tins.
Sara Fitzsimmons, SiMBA Director, said: “To be chosen as one of Gambado’s ‘Charity of the Year’ organisations to support is a great honour. We can’t thank them enough for their kindness shown and donations received so far.”
Nikki Jacobs, General Manager at Gambado Fountain Park, said: “Both charities do amazing work – it was never going to be easy to pick one which is why we doubled up and picked both. We are delighted to have raised so much money already and will continue to do so throughout the year especially at our Easter Extravaganza, which always attracts huge numbers of families, and no doubt even more so with our Forth One disco this year.”
Tailor Ed Foundation was chosen in recognition of the great work they do supporting children with autism and their families. Gambado already has a strong relationship in place with the charity as they host exclusive play sessions twice a month, when the centre is closed to all other guests. Staff who provide a fun, relaxed and safe environment for all kids to play in have been specially trained by the charity on ways to interact and understand children with autism, which helps to make it an even more enjoyable experience.
Kate Langer, acting project manager at Tailor Ed Foundation, said: “”We are delighted that Gambado has picked us as one of their charities of the year. We really enjoy the play sessions they host for us, which enables children with autism to access soft play in a quieter environment than usual.
“We are so grateful that they will be fundraising for us, as this will allow us to go on providing services for the families of children with autism throughout Edinburgh.”
Gambado Fountain Park is Edinburgh’s biggest soft play centre for children aged from 0 – 12 years old, with everything from a three tier frame with ball cannons and slides to a climbing wall and gated sensory area for toddlers.
It is open from 9.30am till 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9.30am till 6.30pm on Friday, and 10am till 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Prices start from £5.95 per child.
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