ENERGETIC youngsters unable to clamber cross their condemned climbing frame are hoping fundraisers will help them cash-in on a new one.

Children at East Oxford Primary School are calling on the community to donate their pounds and pennies to their £10,000 fundraising appeal.

The Union Street school is currently without the outdoor play equipment after health and safety chiefs deemed the 10-year-old climbing frame doomed for future use.

Headteacher at the 300-pupil school Russell Kaye said: "The school is part of the community. The climbing frame has given a lot of pleasure to children who have grown up and moved on. We are asking people to give a little back."

Children at the school have been raising cash for their new adventure island since last summer but have now buckled down, ramping up their efforts in the past few months.

They rattled their buckets and helped with bag packing at Cowley Road's Tesco Metro, bringing in £309 and 25 Euros during their afternoon of fundraising.

Scrumptious dishes at the school's International Food Fair, taking place on April 6, is also set to add to the £4,000 already raised.

The after-school event will see parents cook up an 'incredible' array of dishes, sharing them with families from 3.30pm.

Pupil Wajeha Aleem said she enjoyed swinging on the monkey bars, mounting the wooden steps and frolicking around on the equipment with her friends.

The seven-year-old added: "I miss the climbing frame. Playtime is boring. I want people to give us money [so we can] get our climbing frame."

Mr Kaye, who has been at the helm of the school for almost three years, said scrambling across the climbing frame helps develops youngsters' motor skills.

He went on to say the equipment was used by children from across the city, who popped along to the school during East Oxford Farmers' and Community Market held there every Saturday.

The school is hoping to reach its fundraising target soon, building the new play paradise during the May half term break.

Its JustGiving Page read: "Imagine a primary school with nothing to climb on. Recently, our well loved and well used climbing frame as been condemned, meaning that all of our wonderfully energetic children have nowhere to climb on at break and lunch time.

"Sixty minutes a day of physical activity minimum is recommended by NHS for children of this age and our children are missing out on this varied exercise.

"Playing on climbing equipment helps to prevent child obesity, improves learners’ academic focus and overall builds learners’ confidence and coordination skills.

"Please donate today to help our children have a fun, safe and energized place to play."

See justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eopsclimbingframe