“This is a day to celebrate the great things that can be achieved when charities and the community work together.  “Wooden Spoon is proud to have played such a rewarding part in leaving a legacy of joy for youngsters to benefit from for many years to come.”

Middlesex Spoon funded £80,000 of the costs, £30,000 came from the Peter Harrison Foundation and £45,000 from the Chrysalis fund. Wicksteed Playscapes helped draw up plans from what children, parents and carers said they wanted.  

The playground, in Hillingdon, West London, was the brainchild of a local mum, Katrina Bijowski, who set up her own charity called Karers 4 Kidz to build educational and recreational facilities where children of all backgrounds could play together.

She was motivated by her experiences with daughter Emma, 17, who has cerebral palsy. Katrina, who joined Lawrence for the opening ceremony, said: “We sent children, care workers, parents and teachers to other places, including in different counties, so they could tell us what they would like to see in the park. "The main thing they wanted was facilities accessible to them - parks and playgrounds were they could mix so disabled and able bodied friends could interact."

Middlesex chairman Gordon Brown paid tribute to the untiring efforts of Katrina to get the project off the ground and praised the work of Middlesex region’s project officer, Ian Bocock, for helping make Katrina’s dream come true.  

Rocket Park is the third project Middlesex region has opened in 2008. “We’ve had a remarkable year,” said Gordon, “and we’re determined that with the help of our generous supporters and benefactors, 2009 will be another vintage year for Spoon.”