Liverpool City Council are calling on local businesses to sponsor inclusive play equipment upgrades for children of all abilities in parks across the local government area with packages available now.
"For $2,750 a business can jump in and sponsor the installation of an inclusive high backed swing seat upgrade, so that our local children have opportunities, to play, connect and belong – regardless of their ability," said Mayor Ned Mannoun.
In return, sponsors will receive:
- Their business name on the back of their installed sponsored swing seat
- A promotional toolkit, including social media assets to help promote their participation in the program
- An invitation to the community launch at Casula Parklands playground with their logo featured on the campaign signage and;
- Inclusion in a paid digital marketing campaign throughout the community initiative
"This is a beautiful way to demonstrate real caring and lift the spirits of our youngest residents and their families and we are proud to be the first Council in Western Sydney to get on board," the Mayor said.
Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce have partnered with Play For All Australia to provide inclusive swing seat upgrades across 16 parks in the Liverpool Local Government Area.
The social enterprise has a mission to install inclusive play equipment to create a world of play and belonging for all and deliver a positive impact to all families - especially those who have a young child with a disability.
Mayor Mannoun said Council is committed to ensuring Liverpool is an inclusive City and is thrilled to partner with such an incredibly worthy initiative that is sure bring joy to so many of our youngest residents.
"This is a wonderful way to bring our community and local businesses together and build on the many great parks and playground facilities we have across Liverpool," Mayor Mannoun said.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce President Dimitri Karam said the program provided a creative and innovative way to make sure children get an equal opportunity within our local community.
"I commend Play It Forward on this initiative and I am certain that our business community will get behind this program to make sure it gets to all of the eligible parks in our region."
Play for All Australia is a for-purpose social enterprise established by Caroline Ghatt and husband Tim Smith.
Inspired by their son Marcus, who lived with a significant disability and used a wheelchair, the couple launched the initiative to generate awareness and galvanize the importance of social inclusion.
"Our son Marcus unexpectedly passed away just before his thirteenth birthday," Caroline said.
"To honour the lessons he taught us, we wanted to ensure no family would be left out of their local playground.
"We came upon a simple yet powerful idea: What if we could 'play' inclusion forward and make installing an inclusive swing seat at your local park as simple as playing on one?
"By swapping out the low-back infant swing seat for an Australian-made inclusive high-back version we could give all young children the thing they love – the same opportunity to play."
