CAMPAIGNERS in need of £20,000 to replace a 'much-loved' school climbing frame are half-way to their goal but with only months left before deadline they still need help, fundraisers have said.

Headington Quarry Foundation Stage School at Quarry School Place has until early next year to raise the funds to replace its current climbing frame, which will see its safety certificate expire in the summer.

To replace the ten-year old climbing frame will cost around £20,000 in total and parents and teachers are now fundraising in a bid to raise the sum.

Headteacher Natalie Wilson, aged 42, said that the school has so far managed half the target but there was still a long way to go.

She said: "The climbing frame is incredibly important, for the children's health and for their physical well-being.

"For the children who have been through the school that is a right of passage, having to pass the monkey bars at the end of term.

"It would be a huge loss for the children and for the school.

"The fundraising is really bringing the community together, it has been fantastic."

The £20,000 will allow state-of-the-art equipment to be installed with all the necessary safety measures.

Headington Quarry councillor Roz Smith said: “It is a very important piece of outdoor equipment for the children to enjoy, and to help with their balance, and their physical activity.

“I am hoping that everybody in the Quarry area will get behind the appeal and we can raise the money.

“It is an awful lot of money and there is funding but there is not an awful lot of spare cash for this sort of equipment so we are hoping for people to support this and get this equipment replaced.

“It does need replacing and it just needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

“So far the response has been good but perhaps the people haven’t heard about the campaign yet. Lots of Quarry families and Risinghurst families have enjoyed the nursery."

There will also be a Christmas event at the school on December 10 in a bid to raise money for the campaign.

A statement by the Headington Quarry Parent Teacher Association reads: “We’re fundraising to replace the much-loved wooden climbing frame which children at Headington Quarry School have enjoyed for over 10 years.

“The new climbing frame will provide an important opportunity for the children’s physical development, plenty of adventures and fun.

“The funds raised will contribute to the removal and replacement of the climbing frame and safety surface.”

The school is attended by 80 pre-school children daily and 30 in reception class.

People can donate by visiting www.localgiving.org/charity/HeadingtonQuarryPTA