Massive Attack's Daddy G and DIY SOS build manager team up in aid of St Paul's Adventure Playground

Massive Attack’s Daddy G and Mark Millar from DIY SOS have released a video urging Bristolians to donate to St Pauls Adventure, which vandals reportedly set on fire earlier last month.

Extensive damage was caused to a large amount of the outdoor play equipment at St Pauls Adventure Playground, which is located next to the bottom of the M32, beside St Agnes Church.

The smoke could be seen right across Bristol, as fire crews from across the city rushed to the scene. The APE Project CiC, which run the site, put a call out on its Facebook page for young people and children to begin sending in ideas for what they want the new space to look like, as part of a £250,000 re-build.

And a 16-year-old volunteer, Stan Jones, launched a fundraiser to raise £25,000 to help pay for it. Stan said: "Please give whatever you can to help rebuild the structures that have been burned down as it will not be able to be rebuilt without help from the good people of Bristol. “This has been home to many of the less fortunate children and losing it will be an incredibly hard prospect for them.

“The playground is vital for their physical, emotional and psychological well being.”

In a video from the scene on Friday (May 8), Mark Millar, who is the build manager on popular BBC show DIY SOS said: “We’re asking you to come join us on our crowdfunding appeal for St Pauls Adventure Playground.

“We’ve got nine days left to raise the money. We need £5K. Please can you help us?”

“If you don’t, we’re not going to get there.”

Now they are getting closer to the target and have raised more than £23,000.

Bristol-born Grantley Evan Marshall, known as Daddy G from trip hop band Massive Attack, also featured in the video.

He added: “As Mark said, we need £5K for this amazing project. So, people come on. Dip in and help us out. We need your help. Thanks a lot.”

The team behind St Pauls Adventure Playground also wants companies to come forward to help.

An appeal was launched towards the end of last month, to help rebuild the adventure playground which was left severely damaged by an arson attack.

Heli Kam Drone Services have also released drone footage highlighting how extensive the damage was. This can be watched here.

Rachel Davies, 54, co-managing director APE Project CiC, said: “There really aren't many safe spaces in inner city St Pauls for families to go to.

“This place is enormously important and supportive for so many young people and families.

“[The playground] is part of their history, present and future.

“We need to reassure we are going to get this back up and running for them.”

Source: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/massive-attacks-daddy-g-diy-4122463