HUNDREDS of people are backing a campaign to save a much-loved park on a Whitefield housing estate.

Residents and local councillors are rallying round to raise cash to save and improve Boz Park – a field just off Tonge Close on the Hillock Estate.

Numerous fundraisers and clean-ups have been organised in a desperate effort to save the neglected plot of land.

A Facebook group, Save Boz Park, has been set up with close to 1,000 members joining together to share ideas to save the park, which was named after Colin Boz Tracey.

Mr Tracey’s niece, Nicola Neary, addressed councillors at a Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum appealing for help to save the green space.

More than 20 volunteers turned out to help clean-up the site on Saturday, October 1, when they collected 12 bin bags of rubbish, two mattresses, a bed and a sofa.

Community activist Michelle Sutherland, who has been behind the campaign for more than a year, said: “We have been trying for over a year to have issues with Boz Park resolved – the lack of maintenance and cleaning.

“A site visit took place by Bury Council who have deemed some of the wooden play equipment as unsafe and have removed pieces.

“The local community and residents, including the Tracey family whose beloved family member Colin Boz Tracey the park is named after, don’t just want a green space.”

Hillock and Oakgate Residents Association has formed a subcommittee to look at ideas and possible fundraising to keep the park.

Mrs Sutherland added: “Boz' niece, Nicola would like to see the space with an area for children to play and also a section for memorial benches and trees.

“At a site visit with council leader Rishi Shori, we made it clear that we would like to adopt the park as our own and fundraise for new equipment.

“We want the council to know we are serious, we want to work with them after all it's the only green space in the heart of Hillock Estate, and we want to make it safe for the children.”

A race night has been organised to help raise much-needed cash on Friday, November 11, at 7.30pm at Unsworth South Social Club. Tickets cost £2 and can be bought from the club.

Besses Ward Cllr Elizabeth FitzGerald said: “The council do not have the money to look after as many areas as they have in the past, but it's important that Bury still has green spaces.

"It would be a lot of work for us to take on if we adopt the park but it's clear that people are willing to put in the work."