FARNHAM District Scouts has received a £10,000 donation as part of its fundraising scheme Garners Goes Bananas.

The Shanly Foundation – the charitable arm of the Shanly Group of companies – made the donation to support Farnham District Scouts’ campaign that aims to raise £133,000 to upgrade their Garners Field facilities. 

Used by hundreds of scouts from the Farnham district from ages five and a half to 25, the Garners Field site can accommodate a range of activities such as canoeing, archery and forest skills.

The Shanly Foundation’s donation will go towards building an extension that will host a first aid and quiet room alongside new toilets and showers with disabled access.

The current kitchen will also be upgraded to be more user- friendly with hygienic floor and wall coverings.

Tamra Booth, trustee of the Shanly Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to continue to support UK Scouts across the country, we understand that their facilities are crucial to the success and sustainability of Scouting.

“We hope our donation will make a positive impact as an investment in the future of many scouts to come in Farnham, alongside benefiting the wider community as well.” 

The water supply of the campsite is currently shared with Surrey West Guides. However, the Garners Goes Bananas campaign is aiming to install an environmentally friendly rainwater harvesting system, collecting the water from the roof of the activity centre and then storing it to be used in both old and new toilet blocks.

District commissioner, Philip German, said: “For 40 years, Garners Field campsite has given young people lifelong memories of outdoor fun and adventure and now it’s time to help future generations to enjoy our local countryside.

“Groups have come from as far as Cornwall to use the site, as well as those participating in Duke of Edinburgh. We thank the Shanly Foundation for this most generous grant.”

To date, the Garners Goes Bananas campaign has raised £73,000. To donate, visit garnersfield.uk. The scouting community in Farnham has more than 1,000 members from eight different groups.