SHOPPERS will be able to show their support for Operation Covert at the weekend as enterprising students take their products to the public.

A trade fair will be held at Kidderminster College on Saturday morning featuring stalls manned by Wyre Forest students.

The groups will make a contribution to the fund to sell their wares as part of the Young Enterprise scheme, which teaches pupils how to manage their own businesses.

Pupils from all Wyre Forest high schools will take part, along with youngsters from Hagley and Haybridge high, Stourminster and Blakebrook special schools and Kidderminster College.

Many gifts will have a Christmas theme, said organiser, Joy Willetts, who said Young Enterprise was thrilled to help Operation Covert.

She explained: "My son has spent many happy hours down at Rhydd Covert. He is 18 now so I have watched it grow and develop over the last 18 years and I have seen some of the advantages it offers to youngsters."

Of Young Enterprise, Mrs Willetts said: "It gives the children the chance to operate like a business in the real world, as opposed to something in a textbook.

"They don't just sell products. They have to raise capital, sell shares, appoint a board of directors and open a bank account, so the fair is just one part of the enterprise scheme."

Saturday's fair takes place from 10am until noon in the foyer of the college, in Market Street.

Soroptimists back fund

A PROFESSIONAL women's organisation has pledged more than £200 to help rebuild the "important facility" at Rhydd Covert for district youngsters, taking the total to £10,821.

Kidderminster Soroptimists have donated £225 to our appeal. The contribution comes after donations from similar charitable groups, including rotary clubs and freemasons.

President, Denise Carson, said: "Like myself, many of the ladies have either been involved in the Guides personally or they have children who have been in the Guides.

"We felt the centre at Rhydd Covert was an important facility that needs to be restored to the area."

The Soroptimists meet twice a month and has also raised money for women affected by the wars in Bosnia and Rwanda in recent years.

The cash was drawn from the group's charity fund and personal donations.

Mrs Carson said: "Our aim is to serve the local community as well as the wider community and to promote the welfare of women throughout the world."

l Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club have pledged £40 towards our appeal from a raffle.

The cash was raised through supporters and officials at Saturday's game against Sutton Coldfield at their town club's ground in Marlpool Lane.

We've supported Operation Covert

BUSINESSES

Cadspec

Duke William pub

Exilco

Horwath Clark Whitehill

Severn Water Products

Topstitch

Webb Tolley

MJS IT Services

Hartbeat Fitness Training

SCHOOLS

Franche First

Mayfield House Kindergarten

Sutton Park First

BUSINESS

Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons

Harlequins Orienteering Club

Hope and Charity Freemasons

Kidderminster Rotary Club

Wyre Forest Golf Club seniors

Vernon Freemasons

Severn & Teme District Scouts

Wyre Forest Conservatives

Wolverley Ladies Fellowship

Kidderminster Lions FC

Kidderminster Soroptimists

Kidderminster Carolians RFC

Wyre Forest Young Enterprise

Peak climb nets £500

A 61-year-old who last year had a heart by-pass has climbed the highest mountain in England and Wales to raise more than £500 for Operation Covert.

Malcolm Timmis, who has been involved in Scouting in Wyre Forest since he was a child, tackled the mighty Snowdon in under three hours. The Buttermere Road, Stourport resident said he was apprehensive about climbing the 3,560 ft mountain but was thrilled to have completed the challenge.

He said: "I had no problems. We went up at a nice steady pace though the weather wasn't really with us. It was very low cloud.

"I did consider whether or not I would be able to do it but since having the operation I have been recommended to go on a fitness regime so I am probably fitter than I was three or four years ago."

Mr Timmis, who sits on the district executive at Kidderminster & District Scout Council and was a leader of KD10 Cookley Scout group, thanked all those who had sponsored his climb.

Dave Denton, district commissioner for the Scout Council, said: "Malcolm was determined to do it and he wasn't prepared to give out on it - he was going to complete it.

"I am over the moon for him. It is a heck of an achievement."

Badges to collectors

AN enterprising Scout president raised more than £100 for our appeal by selling special Operation Covert badges to UK collectors.

Clive Huntbatch bought 20 badges and sold them to Scout leaders from throughout the UK at a meeting of the International Badgers Club, an organisation dedicated to swapping Scout and Guide badges.

His efforts raised £106 at last month's meeting, in Bristol.

Getting kickout of help

Young footballers have been getting a kick out of backing Operation Covert. Kidderminster Lions FC, who play in the Stourport and District League, have donated £50 to our appeal. The money was raised by the club's committee.

Fundraising secretary, Lisa Hollis, said: "We wanted to contribute because some of our players are in the Scouts and Cubs and some of our committee members went to Rhydd Covert."

The club has nine teams from under-eight to under-15 age categories and play at Chester Road Cricket Ground in Kidderminster.

Bargains at table top fair

Bargain hunters are being invited to a table top fair in aid of Operation Covert on Saturday.

The fair will be held at the John Stretton Hall in New Road, next to Bed City, in Kidderminster.

The event - organised by the KD9 Spennells Scout group - will run from 10am to 1pm. Entry is free.