A toddlers’ charity walk was forced to find a new venue after council officers insisted on charging £271 to use a Medway park.

Kirsty Gill wanted to raise money for premature babies like her son Zach, and thought Riverside Country Park near her home in Rainham would be perfect for him and others who have been treated at the Oliver Fisher unit to toddle around dressed as superheroes.

But Zach’s Little Superheroes Walk will now be held – for free – in Maidstone, as the council stuck to the standard fee for using its green spaces.

Mrs Gill said she emailed and explained to Medway Council she wanted to do a small group walk involving up to 50 people, but was told there were set charges, starting at £271.

The case came under the spotlight at Medway’s full council meeting last night, when Cllr Andy Stamp (Lab) asked deputy leader Cllr Howard Doe (Con) how the council could justify such a charge – especially after announcing it would not charge for weekly parkruns at Great Lines and the Strand, involving hundreds of runners each week.

Cllr Stamp said: “I’m pleased Medway isn’t charging for parkruns but if it’s going to be fair and consistent why is it charging for a charity?

“They were told the minimum cost would be £270, and the bigger the event the more money it would cost, so they’ve decided to take their business elsewhere.”

Last year Mrs Gill organised a buggy-push, also at Mote Park, that raised more than £1,000 for the two charities, having been inspired by the help her son received when he was born 11 weeks early in 2014.

Now fit and healthy, 16-month-old Zach is set to be among 10 “graduates” of the Oliver Fisher Unit, who have now also graduated from the buggy and are set to attempt September’s walk dressed in superhero outfits – Zach as spiderman.

“I thought Mote Park was fantastic,” said Mrs Gill, 35, of Station Road. “They let me put signs up to direct people and didn’t charge.

“I’m local to Rainham so I just thought Riverside Country Park is my local park and we could do the same thing there – but it’s £271, so I’ve gone back to Mote Park and they’ve welcomed us again.

“Nearly everyone involved is from Rainham – there are about 40 to 50 people.”

She added: “Mote Park charge but they base it on the size of the event, so they said we could do it for free.

“I’m disappointed not to be able to get a local venue for free.”

"I think this is a reasonable policy" - Cllr Howard Doe

Speaking last night, Cllr Howard Doe, deputy leader and portfolio holder for community services, said the policy to charge for such events was correct and would be maintained.

"We do make a charge for those who want to use green spaces and the (event) was priced according to the price scale," he said.

"We consider our charges very carefully - I think this is a reasonable policy."

He said parkruns remained free because: "It's council policy to support Medway residents to realise their potential by promoting healthy and active lifestyles."

Mrs Gill said she would welcome as many people as possible to the walk, which also includes a picnic and raffle, on Sunday, September 4, but there were limited numbers.