SCOUT leaders and parish councillors have toasted the success of a fundraising campaign.

Members of 1st Goostrey Scouts and Goostrey parish councillors met on Sunday to celebrate the repayment of the final £50,000 of the loan on the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre.

Group Scout Leader Neil Memmott said: “In April the outstanding loan stood at £50,000, but since then active fundraising by the Scouts has raised a massive £25,000, and generous match-funding by the parish council of a further £25,000 means the debt is now cleared.

“1st Goostrey Scouts is extremely grateful to the parish council for its support over the past four years in bringing the new Scout Hut and Youth Centre to fruition, and this donation of £25,000 to clear the loan is the icing on the cake.

“We would not be standing here without the backing of Goostrey Parish Council, which had confidence that David Giles, my predecessor as Group Scout Leader, and the fantastic team of professionals from Goostrey, could deliver this project for the village.

“It is a privilege for my team of Leaders to run Scout, Cub and Beaver activities in the new building, to allow local children to enjoy the benefits of Scouting in Goostrey.

“The outdoor play area is put to good use, including two weeks ago for a successful Beaver and Cub Camp, when activities enjoyed included archery and backwoods cooking.

“The hut is also home to Goostrey Guiding and Goostrey Pre-School, and the two rooms upstairs are hired regularly by other community groups.”

Ken Morris, chairman of Goostrey Parish Council said: “The Parish Council was pleased to give half of the site of the former Youth Centre to the Scouts, to support the planning application for the new building and to make the initial donation of £50,000.

“We have been impressed that the new facility opened 18 months ago is being well used by children, young people and other groups. It is a real asset to the village.”

The £25,000 raised by the Scouts this year includes a £10,000 grant from the Columbus Fellowship, £4,200 from the Big Bike Ride in May, and almost £2,500 from other sporting events, including another sponsored cycle challenge, as well as the Simon Weston Trophy football matches in 2017 and 2018.

More than £600 was raised from the Afternoon Tea with Mrs Kettle in June, more than £1,700 from Rose Day, nearly £700 from the Locals Night run at the Hut by a team from the Crown Inn, and about £200 from a quiz night at the Crown.

Other donations have been received, including £3,250 from this year’s Bluedot Festival.