Sam’s Park Officially Opens
Sponsored swim helps to make possible an all-inclusive playground in Grant Thorold Park in memory of the late Sam Blessington, who died in 2016 aged 12.
The playground in the East Marsh is home to a wheelchair-friendly swing, a seesaw and accessible picnic area for family. It was made possible from five years of fundraising efforts from the local community, championed by Sam’s family and friends, as well as contributions from North East Lincolnshire Council.
Sam was born with a bleed on the brain and had the condition quadriplegia cerebral palsy, as well as additional health problems.
Sam’s Nanna – Jean Blessington and her friend Jill Brown have been an instrumental part of the fundraising efforts, including organising and taking part in a sponsored swim in 2023.
Jill’s daughter – Katie, was a member of the disability swim group at Grimsby Leisure Centre and good friend of the Blessington family. She was passionate about Sam’s Park and wanted to do a sponsored swim to help the vision become a reality.
Sadly, Katie passed away in 2022 before she could complete the sponsored swim, and so Jean and her family and friends – Les, Niki, Cerys and Duane completed it in her memory.
The group have strong connections to the leisure centre through the disability swimming group and the Wellness Hub. Jean is also one of our regular swimmers.
The sponsored swim was a real kickstart for the sponsorship after the pandemic and a big part of making Sam’s Park possible. The playground will make a massive difference to so many people and has already inspired more projects like this in the area. Thank you to everyone who donated for their kindness and generosity.
Jean Blessington, Sam’s Nanna
Family and friends officially opened the playground on Friday 20th December at what was a happy but emotional occasion. The day marks the end of chapter for both Sam’s and Katie’s families and the start of a new chapter for the local community, who can now benefit from the generosity and kindness from all who made Sam’s Park possible.
