CHILDREN from a York playgroup which was gutted by an arson attack get a helping hand as they set off on one of two sponsored walks to raise money for toys.

The portable building which housed Cheeky Monkeys playgroup and toddler group on the site of Westfield Primary School in Acomb, York, was destroyed by fire in April. This left the group of pre-school children without any toys and equipment.

But the children raised £790 with two sponsored walks.

Nineteen children aged two and three went on a sponsored walk around the school grounds on Wednesday. And yesterday nine toddlers, including a 15-week-old baby in a pushchair, tackled the walk with the help of their parents.

Playgroup leader Tracy Morgan said: "At the moment they don't have much of a variety of toys. We lost absolutely everything in the fire, so we're starting from scratch."

After the walks the children were treated to a teddy bears' picnic.

Updated: 08:48 Friday, June 27, 2003