RESIDENTS who teamed up to raise £60,000 for a new games area on their estate have been honoured by Wales’ First Minister.

Barracksfield Tenants’ Association and Youth Forum (BFTA), based in the Hightown area of Wrexham, worked together to pay for the much-needed Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) on the estate.

Youngsters now have decent facilities in which to play sports and socialise – and many of them were involved in the project from the very start.

The group’s community spirit has been officially recognised at the Making a Difference Awards held by their landlords – Wales and West Housing Association.

Members of BFTA received a special award during a glittering ceremony at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

First Minister Carwyn Jones, who presented the team with the Outstanding Community Project Award, said: “Congratulations to the Barracksfield Tenants’ Association and Youth Forum on winning this award.

“I am pleased to see people being recognised for their community spirit and going the extra mile, which can only lead towards stronger, unified and more stable communities across Wales.”

The MUGA project has helped to bring members of the community together, bridging the generation gap.

Anne Hinchey, chief executive of Wales and West, said: “We were delighted to honour the Barracksfield Tenants’ Association and Youth Forum for their unselfish
contribution to the life of their community.”