A VOLUNTEERISM organisation is supporting a project aimed at developing new ways of sustaining and developing parks.

Darlington Cares is backing Rethinking Parks, a £1m fund to find and support organisations and partnerships to develop implement and spread new approached to sustaining and making the most of UK public parks.

Darlington is the only North-East town to have been selected to take part in the programme, and one of 11 projects out of a total of 200 applications.

As part of the programme, £80,000 has been awarded to Groundwork North East and Cumbria which will co-ordinate delivery of the pilot project.

which will work in partnership with Cares, Darlington Borough Council and the Friends of South Park, North Park and The Denes to look at developing relationships with local businesses. Through the project there will be increased volunteer opportunities which will inject new skills into the parks to create opportunities and innovative ways of sustaining and improving these green spaces.

Katie Blundell, project manager of Darlington Cares, said: "There’s many ways for local businesses to get involved, ranging from hands on outdoor volunteering, through to lending project management skills, financial planning, marketing, event management and fundraising expertise to the friends groups.

"Whether you have a team of eager volunteers looking for a team building exercise or would like to lend your expertise and gain experience outside of your sector to develop your skills, this is your opportunity to develop and improve the local parks at the heart of our community."

For more information, call 01642-738970 or email k.blundell@tees.ac.uk