FUNDRAISERS fighting to build a community centre in Colehill have shrugged off their disappointment after failing to raise enough this year.

Volunteers at the Colehill and Wimborne Youth and Comm-unity Centre, set up as a charitable company limited by guarantee in 2006, had already raised £400,000 but hoped to raise a further £120,000 by March 2013.

The amount would have ensured that the Reef Centre in Colehill Lane could have been rebuilt in this financial year.

However, despite the hard work of the committee, not enough was raised for the plans. Undaunted, the volunteers are now aiming to gather the £300,000 needed for the full project.

Susan Davies, vice-chairman of the Colehill Parish Council, said: “We were looking to raise the £150,000 to to start building.

“It would have enabled us to get the building up and complete the ground floor.

“Then we’d have to get more funds to mothball the top floor.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to raise the money but we are still actively fundraising and fighting to raise £300,000.”

The committee has so far raised more than £400,000 for the centre.

David Torring, chairman of the committee, said a sponsor is needed to support two major fundraising activities this year.

The first is a charity bike ride, planned for July 14, with 10-, 25- and 50-mile routes.

The second event is a celebrity gala dinner on November 1 in the Long Gallery at Canford School, featuring a mystery guest speaker from the world of rugby.

Mr Torring said: “These events are crucial to our fundraising activities, but both are in danger of not going ahead if we can’t find a sponsor.”

If you can help, contact David Torring on 01202 888291 or david@torring.co.uk