FOND memories of childhoods spent at Rhydd Covert spurred a Masonic lodge into donating £250 towards Operation Covert.

The cash - one of the biggest donations to the appeal so far - has been donated by Chaddesley Corbett Lodge of the Freemasons.

Lodge master, Hugh Meredith, said: "Many of them have pleasant memories of their times in the scouts and, indeed, benefited considerably from the use of Rhydd Covert in the past.

"I know it gives members of our lodge great pleasure to be involved in such a worthwhile appeal and, once again, to demonstrate, in a tangible way, our support for a non-masonic charitable cause, for the benefit of the wider community."

The lodge celebrates its 25th anniversary next year and has about 40 members.

Site warden at Rhydd Covert, Mark Woodward, said: "This is first class news. It is superb.

"The masons are a wonderful organisation and it is great they have come forward and donated this money.

"It goes to show that so many people have been touched by Rhydd Covert and the Scouts, whether people have been involved directly or will have seen someone in their family who has benefited."

The Shuttle/Times and News has teamed up with Kidderminster and District Scout Council to launch Operation Covert, an appeal to raise £80,000 to rebuild a Scout centre at Rhydd Covert campsite in Bewdley which was torched by vandals.