A concerned parent is leading efforts to raise funds for a new a playground at her children's school as she fears her daughter, who has a heart defect, could be at risk at break times.

Five-year-old Isla Brown has battled the condition for most of her life, which has resulted in her suffering a stroke and going under the knife a number of times.

The pupil, at Wickhambreaux Primary School in Canterbury, is therefore particularly vulnerable to falls and has mobility issues.

With Isla set to move into Year 1 in September, she will start spending break times in the school’s main playground, which tends to be dominated by children playing football.

Her mother, Chloe Brown, has started fundraising for a piece of unused scrubland within the school’s grounds to be converted into a separate playing area.

“Although the big kids are so caring with Isla, it does feel dangerous throwing her into the middle of it all,” she said.

“She can’t get out of the way of things or move quickly.

“Thankfully, she hasn’t had any broken bones.

“She is monitored by teachers, but this would allow her a bit more freedom, independence and somewhere to play with her friends.”

Since Ms Brown launched the project it has gathered momentum and will be designed to benefit the entire school.

It will be fitted with renewable energy kits to help teach pupils about environmental issues, be equipped for music lessons and be available for children wanting to spend their breaks in a calmer environment.

“The kids we said they wanted to be able to read outside, have a place for picnics and to explore,” Ms Brown said.

“Kids will always play football, and that’s fantastic, but they do need more than that.”

Wickhambreaux’s head teacher, Ann Campling, described the 130 sq m patch of land as a "complete wasteland".

She said the school has had to bankroll the project by asking for donations because it is expected to lose about £35,000 in government funding between 2015 and 2020.

"We certainly wouldn't have the money to do that ourselves" - Ann Campling

“All schools at the moment are raising money left, right and centre just to survive, especially small schools like us, because of the cuts,” she added.

“The money coming into schools is much lower than it’s been in the past.

“We’ve now got to pay for things like: national insurance contributions, pay rises, pensions, apprenticeship levies and other services we used to be provided.

“The budget we do receive has to go an awful lot further.

“Nationally, schools are cutting staff and increasing class sizes. We’ve also had to do that.

“We certainly wouldn’t have the money to do that ourselves - it would all be going on essentials first.”

Last week Isla was operated on at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

“She’s got two weeks off school, but she bounces back pretty fast our little girl so I’d be surprised if she stays at home for all of that,” Ms Brown said.

“She will always need operations, but this is probably it for the next five years.

“She had one in November, but before that she had two years off.”

Ms Brown is aiming to raise £6,800 by the beginning of August and for the work to be completed by the end of September.

But it is thought the bill could rise to more than £10,000 and Ms Brown is therefore hoping to be eligible for a grant from the M&S Energy Fund.

• Visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/school-wasteland-to-wonderland