THE fundraising appeal to re-open Haslemere’s Lion Green post office at Haslewey has gone up a gear.

A big banner stretched across Wey Hill will alert all through traffic to the campaign to raise £15,000 to pay for the building works, with the aim of opening the new facility before Christmas.

Residents can also swell the total by tucking into neighbouring Dylan’s Ice Cream parlour fundraising special, the Royal Mail Raspberry.

Deputy chairman Ken Griffiths said: “We want to ensure everyone in Haslemere is aware of what we are doing. Haslewey is continuing to make progress towards its target of £15,000 and currently the total stands at over £6,000.

“The slogan ‘bringing people together’, sums up exactly what we are trying to do, in installing a community post office within Haslemere’s very own community centre.

“We would like to thank the manager and staff at Tesco in allowing us to collect donations from outside of their store. This weekend we move to M&S, where we hope the customers will be equally generous.

“In addition to taking donations at www.haslewey.org, and our collection boxes, many businesses in Wey Hill and Junction Place are helping us by providing gifts for raffle prizes to be used at various fundraising events.

“A special mention should go to Dylan’s Ice Cream Parlour, where owner Ben Govier, has developed an ice cream called the Royal Mail Raspberry, with a donation of 50p for each one sold going to the appeal.”

• A fundraising concert by award-winning local violinist and Waverley Ensemble founder Ishani Bhoola will be held at Haslewey on Friday, September 22. To buy tickets call 01428 648716.