PERSHORE Scouts are appealing for support in raising much-needed funds to build a new meeting place.

The 1st Pershore Scout Group lost their previous hut 13 years ago when it was demolished after flooding and to allow for the extension of the neighbouring leisure centre.

The group currently meets at Abbey Park School and has received a donation from Wychavon District Council towards the new Scout hut.

Pershore Horticultural College has offered land on which to build the new hut on and planning permission has been granted, but the group still needs a further £26,500 to finish the project.

Volunteer secretary Hayley Tomkins said: “We have so far raised £28,567, which will enable us to erect the building and make it waterproof.

“Our intension is to fit the building with disabled and able-bodied facilities for all age groups, toilets, showers, hall, first aid room, storage and an office. This will enable our group to be able to hold weekly scout meetings and weekend camps and invite other groups to share in our activities and to provide facilities that will enable this.

“At the moment there are certain activities which we cannot provide a safe environment for and therefore our groups are missing out on certain badges, which we hope they would be able to gain with ease with the new facilities.

“We are still working desperately hard as a community to raise the rest of the funds needed to provide our community with this wonderful youth activity facility.

“At the moment we have more than 80 children attending Beaver colony, Cub Pack, Scout Group and Explorer Groups. We would like to be able to add considerably to this number and offer more children in our community a chance to attend our groups.”

Any businesses or people who would like to make a donation or offer some paint or decoration materials should contact Ms Tomkins on 07904 763680 or e-mail hayley.

tomkins@btinternet.com.