MORE than £3,000 has been pledged to the Shuttle/Times and News Scout appeal in memory of a Wyre Forest woman who died in a road accident.

It is the biggest donation to Operation Covert so far and means the fund has passed the £10,000 mark in just six weeks.

Mother, Val Blount, said she was overwhelmed by donations at the funeral of Suzanne Smith, 36, who died after her car was caught in a strong current while crossing a swollen ford at Cleobury Mortimer.

The family asked mourners to donate to Operation Covert - which aims to rebuild a burnt-out Bewdley Scout centre - as a fitting memorial to former Guide, Suzanne, of Hawkbatch, near Bewdley.

Mrs Blount said: "Suzanne would have been thrilled to bits, she would have been so thrilled. She would have been fund-raising for Operation Covert today.

"It has been a big comfort to me and the family to know so many people loved her. I am completely overwhelmed by the number of friends and family who were there. The money will help a lot of young people in the Scouting movement."

Mrs Blount estimated 400 people attended the service at Holy Trinity Church in Far Forest, on November 2 when a total of £3,098 was collected.

She said: "We couldn't believe the final figure. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who made a donation."

She added: "It was in the middle of the night, when I was feeling really low, and I picked up the Shuttle and read the articles about the appeal and I thought 'yes, that's it - that is what we are going to do'."

Mrs Blount hoped the collection in lieu of flowers would serve as an inspiration to others to back the appeal and said: "If young people could just throw their pocket money in to the appeal, it is just as important as £3,000."

She explained the cash was the perfect tribute to Suzanne, who died after her Land Rover was swept away at the River Rea at Cleobury Mortimer on October 24.

Operation Covert is aiming to raise £80,000 to rebuild the activity centre at Rhydd Covert campsite after it was burned down by vandals on October 10.

Shuttle/Times and News editor, Clive Joyce, said: "We are so grateful to Suzanne's family for thinking of the appeal at a time of such great sadness.

"But we know they have drawn comfort from the positive response in Suzanne's memory. It speaks volumes for the affection people had for her."

He added: "To reach this landmark figure in just six weeks is an amazing achievement and a tribute to the generous spirit that exists in Wyre Forest.

"Support has been phenomenal since the appeal was launched on October 21 and readers and well-wishers have told us of many fund-raising activities in the pipeline.

"We still have a long way to go but we are confident of achieving our aim with such a caring community behind us."

This week it was announced that a warning sign could be placed at the ford where Suzanne's Land Rover was caught in flood waters.

Shropshire County Council is considering erecting the sign to warn motorists about the dangers of crossing when the river is flooded.

Officers are also looking at whether the turning area on one side of the river can be improved.