Team Hamish in Nairn say splashpad is ‘better than we dreamt’
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The new Team Hamish Splashpad at the Nairn Links proved a magnet for young families from far afield to indicate its potential as a crowd-pleaser.
“It’s been fantastic to see the children and their mums and dads and grandparents enjoying the splashpad,” said Liz Bow, grandmother of Hamish Hey whose short life was the inspiration behind a local appeal to raise funding for the facility.
Hamish died aged eight, in 2017, after a long battle with cancer and tragically his mum Susan (Liz’s daughter) died in 2020 after her own brave battle with cancer before the splashpad was completed.
Liz, her husband Danny and Hamish’s dad Sam pursued their dream to provide the facility in a location where Hamish, his sister Lily, and their parents spent many happy hours.
Liz said: “We were all away at a family wedding at the weekend and people were sending us their pictures of children enjoying themselves at the splashpad.
“It was just wonderful and more than we could ever have dreamed of.
“We went down to see it during the week and it was lovely to hear the squeals of delight from children of all ages. Some just sat down and enjoyed the water running over them and it was lovely to see one little girl with a walking aid joining in the fun.”
Such has been the popularity of the facility sometimes the water tank supplying the splashpad has to refill.
“It’s not a fault with the splashpad,” Liz added.
“It’s just because it’s in constant use and sometimes when it’s particularly busy the tank takes some time to refill.”
Sam said: “It’s been fantastic to see all the hard work and the generosity of the people of Nairn come to fruition. It’s a wonderful legacy for Sam and Susan and its obviously attracting a lot of people to the town.”
The Team Hamish appeal has also launched a new trendy cap for children to wear at the splashpad.
Priced £8, they can be purchased by emailing teamhamishmerch@gmail.com and at CraftyWeeBirdie in Nairn High Street, with all proceeds going towards the next phase of the Team Hamish links project.
A formal opening of the splashpad will take place later this month.
READ: Nairn splash pad created in memory of local youngster Hamish Hey is switched on for the first time
