GUIDES using a centre with squirrels in the roof are desperate to raise the £300,000 needed for a new building but are only a third of the way there after eight years.

More than 250 girls use the Guide Centre, in Green Road, Kidlington, but the prefabricated building, dating from the 1970s, is in poor shape.

Fundraising events since 2006 have brought in just more than £100,000.

Sue Moss, president of Girlguiding Oxford City 2 Division, is now looking for help to make sure it does not take another 16 years to reach their target and turn plans for a new building, which have been approved by Cherwell District Council, into a reality She said: “We have just reached £100,000, but we need to get to £300,000. We have been applying for grants but have not had any success so far.

“It got to the point where it wasn’t economical to repair the building and we’re in need of disabled access as well, so we launched a rebuilding appeal.

“We are running out of steam a little bit. We are very grateful for everyone’s support so far.

“The building isn’t dangerous but it is crumbling around us. What made us decide to rebuild was needing disabled access. The roof was covered in moss. The material was disintegrating and there were squirrels in the roof.

“We would like to have something that will last that is there for the young people of Kidlington.”

Twelve units of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, aged from five to 25, use the centre.

The groups held a fete on Saturday, June 21, which pushed them over the £100,000 mark and were hoping demolition work would have started this summer, but they still have a lot of fundraising to do before this can be started.

  • For contact details and more information about the appeal or to offer help with the rebuilding project, including fundraising or services, see the website girlguidingkidlington.org.uk