SCOUTS LAUNCH £100K BID FOR NEW CENTRE

CURRENT HOME NO LONGER FIT FOR PURPOSE SAYS GROUP

NORTHWOOD Scouts have launched an appeal to raise £100,000 for a new centre as their current base is no longer fit for purpose.

The ambitious project will cost around £170,000 in total and the 1st Northwood Scout group has set itself the challenge of raising £100,000 of that in the next 12 months.

Northwood Scout’s current hut was built more than 60 years ago and the group says it is no longer economical to maintain and repair.

The fundraising appeal was launched at an event held at Fairfield Church, in Northwood Hills, on March 1. Backing the appeal is the Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP Nick Hurd, who recorded a video message to the scouts.

Mr Hurd said: “As the local MP and as a former minister for charities, I’m a huge admirer of the work scouts do both in Northwood and in communities around the country.

“The 1st Northwood Scout Group has been around since 1914 – a hugely important part of the community – and the scouting centre needs to be rebuilt.

“I’m going to contribute to this campaign and I hope you can too.”

The current hut in Northwood Way was built in 1956 and is in need of rebuilding.

Work on the new hut is expected to start in spring 2018.

At the official launch of the appeal, St John’s School, in Northwood, presented a cheque for £1,000 to kickstart the fundraising.

The group is now appealing to current and former scouts and their parents and grandparents to help with the appeal.

Major donations will be highlighted on a ‘ donations wall’ when the building is finished.

An artist’s impression of the new centre; (above left) the existing scout hut was built more than 60 years ago