POOLE residents are being urged to get behind a bid to secure a £2.5million Heritage Lottery Fund bid for Poole Park.

The Friends of Poole Park, partners to Borough of Poole in the application, are launching their Back the Bid campaign on Saturday.

Its aim is to show people what the bid is all about and how the money would make a difference to the popular park, following public consultation carried out by the council.

“We really need the public to show the HLF authorities that we, the people of Poole, have come together to help demonstrate how much we want this to happen to help preserve and enhance our beautiful Victorian park,” said Moira Muir, campaign promoter and member of the Friends.

“It’s always affectionately called ‘the People’s Park’, so now we the people need to show we support the bid if the park is to be improved for us now and for the next generation. This really is a one-off golden opportunity and each one of us can really make a difference,” she said.

On launch day donations will be sought from the Saturday morning park runners, the kiosk will be open all day, there will be a children’s fundraising lucky dip, and volunteers will be out with donation buckets and Back the Bid badges.

“Any donation received by FoPP will benefit the park and the really good news is that each donation will be match-funded by probably nine or 10 times, all being well,” said Friends chairman Myrna Chave.

“That’s a huge incentive for everyone to dig deep in their pockets. Just think that by giving £10, you’ll probably be making a £100 investment in Poole Park, which will not only be satisfying to do, but will really have a long lasting effect on our treasured park.”

DONATION stations have been set up inside and outside the park and special promotions are being held by Rockley Watersports and Peppermint Café.

You can Back the Bid at Rockley Watersports, on board the landtrain, at the mini railway station, the crazy golf and putting green and at the Friends kiosk.

You can Back the Bid outside the park at the Peppermint Café, Spar shop, Zen Zone in Davis Road, Brookings in Ashley Road, Welcome Centre on Poole Quay, Civic Centre and Sandbanks crazy golf.