'Now I can play with my friends'

Ten year old Millie's favourite thing in the new playpark near her home is the wooden playhouse.

But what she likes best in Drayton Park is she can now move around almost all the space in her motorised wheelchair.

The facility in Portsmouth has had £180,000 pounds of improvements, prompted by Millie and her Mum Sophie's campaign for more inclusive equipment.

"I can play more now, because my friends can't just run off onto the woodchip, which I couldn't get onto" said Millie.

Two years ago the family were having to travel twenty minutes to Whiteley near Fareham for some inclusive equipment.

The woodchip on the ground of their nearest park meant it was impossible to access it in a wheelchair.

After school, when her friends went to the park, Millie couldn't join them.

But her local councillors heard about the issue and applied for funding from Portsmouth City Council.

Millie's Mum Sophie said they had been actively involved in the re-design and had been consulted.

"It's been well over two years of pushing and work but so pleased that we got the backing and our local councillors invited me to the right meetings so I could speak on Millie's behalf. Persistence has paid off!".

And she added "Millie will grow out of it but it's good to know we've helped other families with disabled children".

£20,000 was given by the city council but the rest of the money came from a pot of money called Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which developers pay into when they build houses in the local area.

The new play area includes an inclusive raised playframe, roundabout at ground level which a wheelchair can move onto, as well as swings, climbing, sensory and interactive play.

There's also new seating and picnic areas, including accessible options.

Councillor Simon Bosher, who represents Drayton, said "this was much needed in Portsmouth as we don't have enough playparks with inclusive equipment. Hopefully this is the first of many".

But he said the equipment was expensive. A wheelchair specific swing couldn't be included.

What is absolutely key is most of the ground is now suitable for wheels.

And on Sunday, Millie and her mother joined the Lord Mayor to officially open the improved playpark as part of a local fun day.

And instead of cutting a ribbon, she drove straight through it, onto the playpark to find her friends!