A TOWN centre charity is boasting a great start to its ambitious fundraising appeal.

Where Next Association has taken the first steps in the £1.9 million appeal launched in September for a new state-of-the-art centre at the charity's Easemore Road site, as well as an expanded nursery and caf with exhibition area.

Fundraising manager John Fletcher said £1,400 had already been raised through the Advertiser's Buy a Brick campaign, which was a great start.

"Most people have donated £5 or more and the average is somewhere between £5 and £10 so that's a very good sign of public support and recognition at the very beginning of this appeal," he said.

"And it's something we can run again at some point in the future, particularly when we get to laying the first brick and that's all thanks to the Redditch Advertiser.

Mr Fletcher said the group had also been pledged £10,000 to get the appeal off the ground by a trust fund which gives money to charities, whose name he could not reveal at this stage and added: "These are really encouraging signs - it's a great start."

He said a working party of 11 local people had been formed, who had all decided they wanted to help with the appeal.

"Whether it's running events, distributing leaflets, or getting involved in anything that needs to be done - these are people who want to be involved with the appeal and who have shown interest to the point they are making a commitment," he added.

"We meet once a month and use it as a forum for ideas, and if anybody in the community is interested in joining that working party we would be delighted to welcome them at our November meeting."

Anyone interested in helping with the appeal can call Where Next on 69955.

l THIEVES made off with more than £600 of equipment from a Where Next van in Hunt End last Tuesday.

Items including a 12ft hedge trimmer and a leaf blower were stolen from the charity's van while staff and trainees were working in Brookfield Close.

Although they were working in the garden at the time, no-one saw the theft and a spokesman said the charity number and logo were clearly displayed on the van so the thieves would have known who they were stealing from.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious can call Redditch police on 08457 444888 or Karen at Where Next on 69955.