Kids at the Moranbah Community Playgroup have a brand new reason to smile thanks to their new playground equipment, a climbing fort and colourful worm tunnel purchased with social investment funds donated by Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine last year.

With more than 60 local families members of the playgroup centre, the volunteers who run the facility have their work cut out for them trying to come up with new ways to keep as many as 25 young children entertained at the playgroup on any given day.

Coordinator Lisa Hardwick said until recently, there was only an older plastic fort with a slide at the playgroup, which had become unsafe, so she urgently needed funding to purchase some new equipment.

Lisa said she had initially applied for funding for one new play fort through Anglo American’s 2012 social investments and donations program, but was delighted to receive an additional sum to purchase even more.

“We were so excited to not only receive funding for the fort, but we also received enough money to purchase the new worm tunnel which the kids just love,” Lisa said.

“Our playgroup was established in 2006 to address a need with new families moving to town and looking for a social place to bring their young kids while making local contacts and friends themselves.

“It’s grown into a wonderful place for children to learn through play and make new friends while parents find they establish a support network as they become part of our community.

“The local families are great, volunteering to help us keep our facilities up to scratch.

“For example, one of our local dads recently built us a new sandpit and we were fortunate enough to have the sand donated by the local rural supplies.

“It’s really special when we are able to receive a donation from a local business like Anglo American to help us make the playgroup as interesting and safe for young kids as we can.”

The Moranbah Playgroup is a very affordable relief for many local families, costing just $40 family per year to join and only $3 per session.

Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine will soon launch its 2013 social investments and donations program and will be calling for nominations from local community groups seeking funding for projects supporting local community development, health and welfare or education and training.