A campaign group is one step closer to creating the playground of its dreams after a successful charity football tournament.

Herts Advertiser: Team Buddies. Picture: Sally GriffithTeam Buddies. Picture: Sally Griffith (Image: Archant)

The Southdown Play Areas Working Group (SPAWG) raised more than £700 at the event, which will be used to enhance the Parva Close playground on the Cross Farm Estate, Southdown.

Last year it raised nearly £20,000 to kit out the area with new football goals, a basketball court, and a trim trail.

These most recent fund raising efforts represent phase two of the project - creating a £32,785 toddler zone.

There were nine teams and 52 children who enjoyed the football tournament, which ran alongside cake sales, pony rides, a wildlife treasure hunt, a basketball challenge, and face painting from Fantastic Faces by Glyn.

Herts Advertiser: District councillor David Heritage with a representative from Be Discovered Football Academy. Picture: Sally GriffithDistrict councillor David Heritage with a representative from Be Discovered Football Academy. Picture: Sally Griffith (Image: Archant)

Team Buddies won the U8-U9 and team Ajax Trees Down won the U10-U11 category in the football tournament, which was organised by Dean Harris.

They were awarded medals donated by Watford’s Be Discovered Football Academy.

SPAWG’s treasurer and organiser of the day, Sally Griffith, said: “We have all been so impressed with the turn out of the local community to support our efforts to raise money for the new play area.

“It’s been such a great atmosphere and we’ve raised a decent amount of money – all despite the rubbish weather. Hopefully we will be putting on a similar event in late summer.”

Herts Advertiser: The football tournament. Picture: Sally GriffithThe football tournament. Picture: Sally Griffith (Image: Archant)

Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami and deputy mayor Cllr David Heritage attended the event.

Once SPAWG has raised enough for the toddler zone, it will start raising funds towards a 4m high climbing wall.

This is the second playground SPAWG has renovated since it was set up in 2013, when a dodgy slide had to be removed from the Oakley Road playground and 2,000 households were left with just four pieces of equipment.

After installing a slide and receiving more than £3,000 from the then-outgoing Harpenden mayor, Brian Ellis, SPAWG turned their attention and funding efforts to Parva Close.

Herts Advertiser: The football tournament. Picture: Sally GriffithThe football tournament. Picture: Sally Griffith (Image: Archant)

The next event is a quiz night on May 12 at the 10th Harpenden Scout Hut in Waldegrave Park. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are £13 and include a fish and chip supper.

Visit www.southdownplayareas.weebly.com to donate and get tickets - there is limited space available.