A £110,000 appeal to extend a young people’s activity centre in Wyre Forest has reached the halfway stage in just five months.

Kidderminster and District Scout Association has been delighted with the public response to its Rhydd Next Generation Appeal since it was launched by former Paralympic gold medallist Chris Holmes in April.

The campaign to add a 22-bed extension to the Rhydd Covert campsite and activity centre, located in woodland alongside West Midland Safari Park, has just reached the £60,000 mark.

The association and its Rhydd Covert committee each pledged £10,000 to kickstart the appeal and more than £20,000 has come from trust funds supporting young people.

These grants have come from trusts as far afield as Newcastle, London, Birmingham and Worcester as well as Wyre Forest.

Almost £10,000 has been donated by businesses, community organisations and individuals including several district and county councillors who have given some of their community funds to the project.

Now the association is launching a major fund-raising initiative with a Grand Prize Draw which it hopes will add £10,000 towards its target.

Last year more than 5,000 young people camped at Rhydd and the extension will open up the facilities to even more youngsters from scout and community groups.

Appeal chairman Mike Thompson said: “We are so grateful to all those who have backed this ambitious project and we are now hoping to keep up the momentum with our prize draw.

“There are several thousand pounds worth of prizes aimed at the whole family and we have had some marvellous support from local businesses and organisations who have donated items to us.”

Among the prizes are a family pass for Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, a matchday package for six people at Kidderminster Harriers, a £200 voucher for Go Outdoors and £200 in cash.

Stores and management at Kidderminster’s Weavers Wharf shopping centre have also rallied round to back the fund-raiser which runs until next April.

All 14 Kidderminster Scout groups and Explorer units will be selling draw tickets and they will also be available at John Beard Ironmongers, Go Outdoors and Wyre Forest District Council at Finepoint Way.

Further support has come from Kidderminster’s Morrisons and Tesco stores where shoppers will see Scouts promoting the appeal and selling draw tickets in the coming months.