THE importance of helping young people achieve their potential has stayed with a former Kidderminster Scout who has made a contribution to our appeal.

Teacher, Nigel Balchin, who now lives and works in Reading, said he was pleased to help Operation Covert and continue the valuable resource at Rhydd Covert.

The 53-year-old, who was a Cub, Scout and senior Scout with Harkaway group, said: "I am an assistant head teacher and help in many activities in school, taking trips myself, accompanying other trips and helping with the school Duke of Edinburgh group in a small way, so I am very involved in working with young people."

The former Kidderminster resident left Wyre Forest in 1969 to attend university and learned about our appeal while visiting his sister, who still lives in the town.

He now works at The Abbey School in Reading.

He said: "I appreciated all that I gained from being a Scout and enjoyed the camping, walking and gang shows and have great memories of Rhydd Covert and the old hut.

"I can remember it being built. My donation is one way in which I can help repay the Scout movement."

l Members of Stourport Choral and Operatic Society and the Kidderminster-based Classical Music Society have sung the praises of our Scout campaign.

Members of the society will perform on Monday night and all donations will go to Operation Covert.

Christmas favourites are promised at the concert, which starts at 8.30pm at the Queen's Head pub in Wolverley.

A collection at the Classical Music Society's Christmas party on Friday and a donation from the society raised £31 for our appeal.

l Members of a slimmers' club might have cut down their food helpings but have been more than generous with their wallets after donating £75.

A Stourport branch of Slimming World donated cash raised from refreshments sold at group sessions at the home of Lickhill Scouts in Lickhill Road North.

Jane Smith, who runs the group, said: "The Lickhill Scouts will benefit in the long run. All the Scout movements have used Rhydd Covert at some time. We were only too pleased to help."