Fundraising appeal by girl guides receives overwhelming response

Rainbows, Brownies and Guides in the village were worried they would have to stop meeting, as their village hall was close to crumbling.

But after an appeal for help in Express & Star, generous strangers stepped forward in their masses to offer assistance.

District commissioner for girlguiding in Wombourne Becky Fletcher said she could not believe how many people had been in touch.

The 24-year-old Wolverhampton council worker said: "We've had a great response so far to our Express and Star article.

"We've had over £150 donated, a roof company has offered to help repair our roof, a plasterer and a plumber have also been in touch.

"We had a community champion from a local factory ask how they could help, and we've also had a big donation of paint from Johnstones in Bloxwich."

"We're so pleased, and feeling a lot more positive. We've had lots of lovely messages of support and asking how people can help."

The 50-year-old building in Mill Lane, Wombourne, is used every day with more than 250 children visiting per week.

Yet the roof needs repairing, a new boiler must be fitted, and large cracks in the wall need to be filled in so the hall can be a safe and warm environment for all.

Ms Fletcher also said any money donated will go towards converting the hall's toilet facilities so they are accessible to disabled people - a project which would cost about £6,000.

She said: "We've had lots of parents get involved too, and some are going to organising a racing night to raise money.

For further information about the fundraising drive or to save the village hall, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wombourneguidehall