Campaign group Foxie’s Future announce aim to reach £1m in fundraising by the new year as it presses on with plan to save Foxlease in Lyndhurst from Girlguiding axe

FUNDRAISERS hoping to save a popular activity centre in Lyndhurst have announced they expect to reach the £1m mark by the new year.

As reported in the A&T, Girlguiding-run Foxlease on Clay Hill is one of five activity centres across the country facing the axe, alongside overseas operations, in a cost-cutting drive by the organisation.

In a bid to save the site, campaigners have formed charitable incorporated organisation Foxie’s Future and registered the building as an Asset of Community Value, which enables them to bid for the property.

Campaigner Vivienne Franklin told the A&T the fundraising drive has so far totalled £826,000, with further grant applications pending.

She added: “We have many groups currently fundraising for us and we are thankful for everyone's efforts.

“So, with great progress being made, we've set ourselves a challenge to reach £1m of secured funds by New Year's Day.

“With funds arriving all the time, we feel confident that we will reach our goal.

“We are working hard to secure the funding needed to purchase Foxlease as an asset for the community, young people and other organisations.”

In October, estate agent Savills put the site on the market for £4m.

The land can be purchased as a whole or in two lots.

Lot one has a guide price of £2.5m and includes the Grade II listed 23-bedroomed Princess Mary House, which is set within 65 acres of landscaped gardens.

Additional accommodation provided onsite includes a separate three-bedroom residential bungalow, 14 self-contained campsites with facilities and an outdoor activity area.

Lot two, up for £1.5m, consists of three residential properties.

Link Bungalow has four bedrooms and is detached and is currently let on an assured shorthold tenancy. Foxlease Cottages are a pair of semi-detached, three bedroom houses built in 1850, both let on assured shorthold tenancies.

For more information about the campaign and how to donate visit www.foxiesfuture.co.uk