A £63,000 fundraising drive has been launched to renovate and refurbish a Scout activity centre near York.

The Scout Association and the University of York Students’ Union and staff are joining forces to improve facilities at the Snowball Plantation at Stockton-on-the-Forest.

The centre, owned and run by the Scout Association, comprises 17 acres of mature woodland, and offers a range of facilities, eight camping sites and two principal buildings, and there are now plans to introduce facilities such as an archery range, traversing wall and rifle range.

The association said the centre provided a safe place for children aged six upwards to spend time in the great outdoors learning skills such as orienteering, camping and team activities.

The Students’ Union said it had a strong legacy with Snowball, as it was the current home of a flagship volunteering project, Kids Camp, which gives 14 children a much needed break with the support of 14 student volunteers and an experienced camp manager.

Union President Kallum Taylor said it would be great to be able to give something back to the centre. “However, we can’t do it alone; we need members of the local community to get involved,” he said.

For more information, go to www.yorkspace.net/york50 or contact Becky Warburton on b.warburton@yusu.org or phone 01904 324799.