Didsbury Playing Fields Association (a registered charity) is responsible for the provision
and maintenance all facilities at Didsbury Sports Ground, a which has been severely
impacted by unprecedented flooding on New Year’s Day. The river behind the car park burst its banks, sending floodwaters into the surrounding areas, the Didsbury flood basin filled up very quickly to unprecedented levels more than a meter higher than previous
years. This caused significant structural damage to the Sports Clubs changing room block,
storage areas and the clubhouse, the impact on the playing fields, grounds and car park has been devastating. Unfortunately, the facility could not secure insurance for all such events. As the water levels begin to recede, we face the daunting challenge of cleaning up and repairing the damage. The first priority will be to remove large amounts of thick,
waterlogged sludge that have accumulated in the changing rooms and storage areas. The
facilities, which are used by numerous local sports teams and community groups, have been badly affected by water damage, and the repair work will be extensive. This includes fixing plumbing, electrical systems, and ensuring the integrity of the structure itself.
In addition to the building repairs, we will need to hire drainage specialists to restore the
vital connections to the mains and address the drainage issues exacerbated by the flooding.

The fields themselves have been left littered with debris—branches, mud, and other refuse
carried in by the floodwaters—and these will need to be cleared before the ground can be
safely used again.

This is a massive task, and the financial resources required to restore the facilities are
substantial. While we are grateful for the support of volunteers who will assist with the
clean-up, the costs of materials, professional services, and specialist equipment are beyond what we can cover through regular fundraising efforts alone.

The impact of flooding is an un-insurable risk, meaning any flooding above the maximum
threshold set out by the Environment Agency has a significant and costly impact to Didsbury Playing Fields. If you are able to donate, your support would mean so much to the local community. The sports ground is a vital hub for social activities, sports, and recreation in Didsbury, and it is essential that we restore it to full use as quickly as possible. By donating to the REPAIR & RESCUE FUND, you will help ensure that local teams and community groups can continue to enjoy this important facility.

This is where we urgently need your help. We are launching a REPAIR & RESCUE FUND to
raise the necessary finances for this extensive recovery effort. Every contribution, no matter
how large or small, will make a real difference in getting the sports ground back to a usable
state. The money raised will go directly to repairing the facilities, clearing the grounds, and
restoring vital services such as drainage and plumbing.

If you are able to donate, your support would mean so much to the local community. The
sports ground is a vital hub for social activities, sports, and recreation in Didsbury, it is used
by 800 local people weekly and it is essential that we restore it to full use as quickly as
possible. By donating to the REPAIR & RESCUE FUND, you will help ensure that local teams
and community groups can continue to enjoy this important facility.

We understand that these are challenging times for many, but any support you can provide
will be deeply appreciated. Whether through a one-time donation, a regular contribution,
or by sharing this message with others who may be able to help, your generosity will have a lasting impact on the recovery process. We are also interested in hearing from any
companies that can support us with larger donations or materials, in return for publicity.
Thank you for considering a donation to the REPAIR & RESCUE FUND. Your help will go a
long way toward rebuilding Didsbury Sports Ground and ensuring it remains a cherished
resource for future generations in the local community.

All funds raised by this appeal will go towards the rebuilding and renovation of the sports
facilities at Didsbury Sports Ground, in line with the principle activities and objectives of
Didsbury Playing Fields Association as set out in the memorandum and articles of
association.

Didsbury Sports Ground is the home of Didsbury Football Club, Didsbury Toc H Rugby Club, Didsbury Runners, Last Man Stands Cricket, Didsbury Park Run, Proactive Fitness
It is anticipated that the cost of remedial works could run into 10’s if not 100’s of thousands of pounds. To centralise our fund-raising efforts Didsbury Playing Field Association have set up a Crowd Funding page with an aim to raise £50,000.00 to go towards the clean-up operation.