CYCLING uncle Stuart Bertram is helping his niece Lucy O'Kane's friends raise money to build a new Guide Hut and is also fund-raising for the Air Ambulance.

Stuart is set to cycle the 874 miles from Land's End to John 'o' Groats on Sunday, May 6.

Penrith Rainbows, Brownies and Guides have sponsorship forms for the mammoth cycle ride to help raise money towards the £250,000 rebuild fund. Stuart is also taking sponsorship for the Air Ambulance.

Lucy, nine, who is a member of the 4th Penrith Brownies, said: "I am very proud of my uncle and we hope we can raise lots of money to help build a new hut for our Brownie pack."

Penrith Guiding Hut, a prefabricated building, was originally erected more than 60 years ago to provide additional classrooms for evacuees, who came to Penrith during the Second World War.

The building was used as a classroom until 1980 when the Girl Guides took over, after their former Castlegate premises were deemed unfit. Now regularly used by Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Young Leaders, the old Guide Hut has outlived its expected lifespan of less than 30 years and an appeal has been launched to raise £250,000 to build a new facility on the site.

Girl Guides in Penrith are also raising money for the Rebuild Appeal by selling bricks at £1 each. So far they have sold 400, which has been added to the £14,000 raised so far by the girls.

Chair of the rebuild committee Christine Nicholson said: "We desperately need to raise the funds for a new Guide Hut for Penrith, and every penny raised is welcome to the appeal. All the girls have sponsorship forms and if anyone would like to make a pledge they can contact me directly.

"The bricks will be on sale in Penrith during the May Day celebrations, but anyone interested in supporting our appeal can buy them direct from the committee. As well as raising money for the project, we would also welcome anyone who has professional skills that they could donate to the rebuild. Any builders, plumbers, electricians or roofers who could donate their skill and time would be greatly appreciated, as would donations of building materials."

Anyone who wishes to help the appeal can contact Christine Nicholson on 01786 866190.