MAJOR fundraising is now under way to build a new hall for Scouts and Guides, who have been without a permanent base for years.

The Old Basing Scout and Guide Hall charity project has been fundraising to build a brand-new hall on Milkingpen Lane in Old Basing, after the site was previously rendered unusable after flood damage in January 2009.

Despite already raising £100,000 they were unable to extend fundraising efforts until planning is approved.

As previously reported, now Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have finally given the approval meaning fundraising can be taken up a step.

SEE ALSO: Scouts and Guides finally WIN fight to build permanent base after years of waiting

In order to kick start a big push for funding the charity held a Village Family Fun day last month on June 18.

Andy Molloy, trustee of The Old Basing Scout and Guide Hall charity, said: "I must express our sincere thanks for the community support we received from those that attended as visitors and helpers at our Old Basing Village Family Fun Day on 18th June.

"The day was a huge success by every ambition we had for the event. It was a delight to see so many people using our field and having fun; the laughter, clapping and cheering at random intervals as people triumphed (or failed dramatically) at individual stalls was a joy to behold.  So many of you were finally able to see the model of our proposed hall and place it in the context of our space. It was really exciting to welcome so many people to the site and enjoy an afternoon of fun with everyone that came along."

Andy said that the day made a "surplus of around £1,500 on the day from stalls and the entrance" but in addition the charity also received some "very generous donations "that amounted to a little over £1,500.

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Andy added: "I would like to offer special thanks to Old Basing Carnival Committee, PIOCC, BARPC, OBTC, The Old Basing Open DofE Centre (Bob & Jackie), SOLVE, Pat Brace, Rick Bourne, The Gough family, St Mary’s Church Men’s Breakfast Group and all the talented Cake Bakers of Cavalier Road; without your voluntary support of energy, time, equipment and produce the day would not have been the success that it turned out to be.  The leaders of Scouting & Guiding sections also did us proud with some innovative events and of course the young people from their groups brought the joy and excitement that made the day even more special.

"Finally, I would like to add that our major fundraising is now under way with the first of many very large funding applications submitted in early July.  We plan to make many more applications over the weeks and months ahead and will keep you all posted on our progress towards our construction project funding goal."

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