GOOSTREY Scouts have received a major boost in their efforts to build a new Scout hut and youth centre from hugely successful summer fundraisers.

A number of events held over the past fortnight have raised £20,000, to take the appeal total to almost £60,000 since fundraising began nine months ago.

The largest sum raised by recent events was £16,000 from a summer ball held on Saturday at Hollins Farm, overlooking the River Dane near Goostrey.

Group Scout Leader David Giles said: “Goostrey Rose Festival is a major event in the village calendar, and this year our Scout barbecue stall at Rose Day on June 25 raised a whopping £1,660.

“This sum was only possible because of the hard work of 20 of my trusted leaders and helpers on the day.

“We are also indebted to Goostrey Guiding and Jodrell Side WI, which raised money at Rose Day for the new youth centre, as well as the Rose Day committee, who donated the money raised from the sale of teas and cakes.”

“Our long-awaited summer ball was held at the idyllic venue of Hollins Farm, which was attended by more than 200 people and raised a staggering sum of more than £16,000.

“The Scouts also received a donation of £200 from the Goostrey Thursday morning Bridge club and private donations from individuals of a further £1,000.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of attendees at the ball and the local businesses and organisations which placed advertisements, donated prizes and sponsored items.

"I wish to also pay tribute to the energetic team who organised the ball for us and gave so much of their time and enthusiasm to this venture.”

The fundraising drive for the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre is continuing, with events including another car wash in September and a quiz night.

David has invited all local organisations and businesses to get involved in the fundraising drive. He can be contacted via email at david.giles@shell.com. Donations can also be made directly to mydonate.bt.com/charities/1stgoostreyscoutgroup.

“We had aimed to demolish the old youth centre to remove the eyesore opposite the Crown before Rose Day, but nature had other ideas,” added David.

“Sparrows were discovered nesting in the wall cavities of the old building, so demolition has been put on hold until the autumn - after the nesting season - as house sparrows are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”