The Borehamwood Times’ Funky Friendz Appeal has raised £1,500 in less than a month.

The paper launched a campaign last month to help mothers raise £4,000 to launch Borehamwood’s first ever all-inclusive youth club for children aged seven to 12-years-old.

Donations on the appeal's website now total £1,054, with a further £500 currently being processed.

Gloria Pyne, who runs Borehamwood Spiritual Centre, which meets at Allum Hall, Elstree, every Thursday, said: “We try to pay it forward to the community where we can.

“This is a brilliant idea because there’s not much for the kids in Borehamwood at all. I grew up there and you can see the changes.

“The women seem very determined too so I thought I’d help them out.”

Among donors are the Borehamwood Spiritualist Centre, which has donated £500, and North Shore Construction, which has given £200.

Other donations have come from anonymous donors and money raised from a disco held to spread the word about the club.

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Michelle Jonas, the chairman of the club, said: “I am completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from the community.

“The people who have generously donated money have been amazing – and some people have donated their time as well. I feel really choked it up – it’s been amazing.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed in many different ways and I hope that everyone carries on donating because it is such a needed youth group.”

Borehamwood Times:

Borehamwood DJ Big Paul has offered to provide entertainment and dancer Denise Scott organised activities at the disco last month.

Debbie McNamara, whose seven-year-old daughter Shauna is looking forward to Funky Friendz, said: “I never expected we’d raise this much in such a short amount of time.

“I am so excited that people are backing us – it’s brilliant. I can’t wait for the future of the club now.”

Sarah Hayley, mother of Zak, nine, and Eve, eight, said: “We’ve come so far in such a short time.

“The generosity people have shown goes to show the need of the club and how the town all pours together for the needs of our children.

“We’d like to thank our donors from the bottom of our hearts, because without them, and the backing of the Borehamwood Times, it would be a much longer process.”

Borehamwood Times:

To donate, visit www.gofundme.co.uk/FunkyFriendz