THE trampoline park at Swindon’s Link Centre will be celebrating its first anniversary on Monday and the staff plan to mark the occasion with a fundraising drive.

Their chosen cause is the local Swindon youth charity SMASH.

As part of the initiative, the park will be opening for free on the day - instead of charging for entry, visitors will be invited to make a donation to support SMASH.

The park has had a hugely successful first year and has become one of the most popular leisure destinations in the town - since opening 12 months ago it has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors.

A sea of springy surfaces greets guests on their arrival, but it is not just trampolines on offer - there are also foam pits, basketball hoops, extreme dodgeball, a slack line and performance walls as well.

As part of their work to support SMASH, the staff at the Link will be inviting children and young people from the charity along to try the trampoline experience for themselves on the day.

SMASH works with youngsters who, through no fault of their own, face difficulties at home, in school or in their social environment.

The charity teams them up with volunteer mentors for a year - the relationship is aimed at providing encouragement, support and guidance.

Youngsters from SMASH will be joined at the park by other groups that support young people, the disabled and communities from across Swindon.

Jamie Coleshill, regional director for park operators GLL, said: “We were keen to celebrate our year one anniversary in a meaningful way. As a charitable social enterprise, it is part of our ethos to give back to the local communities in which we operate.

“We’re hoping that by opening our doors on the Monday we will generate significant funds for SMASH and the valuable work it does. We’re calling on local people to come along and give us their support.”

Lyn Hartman, a trustee of SMASH, added: “We are delighted that GLL and their customers are supporting SMASH’s work on their anniversary.

“Sport and leisure activities can provide our young people with the confidence, skills and discipline they need – skills they can then use at school, college or in the workplace.

“The more people bounce on the Monday, the more young people SMASH can help ‘bounce back’ from their troubles.”

Doors will open from 10am to 9pm. A donation of £2 is suggested.