A CAMPAIGN to raise thousands of pounds to replace a Scout hut is gathering pace.

The 1st Hullbridge Scout Group meets at its hall next to St Thomas’s Church, Hullbridge, but it has no running water or toilets and needs rewiring.

The ageing hut is built on stilts and its stepped entrance means it cannot cater for children with disabilities.

A rebuild is desperately needed and a campaign to raise the cash began last year. However costs have risen to £175,000 from the first estimate of £50,000.

The building, in use for 47 years, was donated by Kent Education Authority after it had finished using it as a temporary classroom. It was taken apart and rebuilt, piece by piece, on the site in Thorpedene Avenue.

Stephen Buttifant, executive committee member for funding, said: “The new hut will be fantastic. It will be at ground floor so disabled access won’t be a problem and we’ll have a mezzanine floor with storage and an office upstairs.

“There will be a kitchen and toilets, and it will all be up to standard with a view to hire it out for the rest of the community to use.

“We’re looking forward to getting it up and it serving the community for the next 100 years.

“We hope to attract an Explorer Scout group, which is for 18 to 25 year olds, and they will be the Scout leaders of the future so they are the link to the survival of this popular group.”

The timber-framed building has been designed free of charge by Building Design Associates in Rochford following the Scout group’s first appeal in the Echo.

The group’s 75 children have been fundraising, with £3,000 gathered from quiz nights, bag packing at Asda in Rawreth, and collections, with more planned.

So far more than £5,800 has been secured for equipment and a further £25,250 has been donated for the hut from the Community Initiatives Fund, the Scouts themselves and £250 from Hullbridge Parish Council.

The group hopes to get formal approval from the church and the Scout Association and then secure planning consent.

Mr Buttifant, whose twins Daniel and Ashley, both nine, and oldest son Jamie, 11, attend the group, said: “It will be a terrific legacy for the group and the community.”

If you can help, contact Mr Buttifant by e-mail on buttifants@yahoo.co.uk or call 01702 231027.