BOURNEMOUTH Scouts have launched a major fund-raising appeal to help turn their ambitious plans for a million-pound centre of excellence into reality.

Scout leaders are hoping supporters will sign up to become a Friend of Butcher's Coppice or volunteer to help them with fund-raising.

The Daily Echo-backed Target 2007 appeal is giving itself just two years to get all the funding in place and turn the scout camp in Kinson into the best camp and training centre in the country.

Appeal organisers are desperate to get the work finished by 2007 because that year marks the centenary of the first experimental camp on Brownsea Island.

Huge numbers of scouts are expected to flock to Brownsea Island for the anniversary and as the nearest scout camp to the island, Butcher's Coppice will play an important part in welcoming scout troops.

A whole raft of improvements to Butcher's Coppice has already been made, including the installation of new cookers and kitchens in the Dad's Hut and the Jubilee Pack Holiday Centre and the creation of better leaders' accommodation.

Next on the to-do list is the creation of new toilets, shower facilities and extra dormitories.

The biggest expense will be the creation of a new £550,000 indoor centre which will cater for training courses, Cub Pack holidays, Beaver sleepovers, school trips and study groups.

Also planned is a £250,000 disabled-friendly indoor swimming pool, replacing the outdoor pool which was constructed in 1932 but had to be filled in ten years ago for safety reasons.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the fund-raising appeal or who would like to become a Friend should telephone development co-ordinator Talbot Massey on 01202 510680 for full details.

Every contributor will be named on a prominently displayed Friends of Butcher's Coppice board of gratitude and will be invited to view the developed site in 2007.

First published: August 19