A whopping £220,000 is needed to save Thorngate Halls in Gosport.

But just nine weeks into the campaign the money has been flowing in – thanks to organised events.

A total of £19,000 has been raised for the centre in Bury Road, which is run by Gosport Community Association.

But Lynn Croucher, chief executive of the association, said the fight was far from over.

'I think the amount of money that has been raised so far is really good and so many people and groups that use the halls have worked really hard to help,' she said.

'We've even had people handing over £20 notes to us when they come here, which is really great.

'The fight to save the halls is looking a lot better than it did three months ago, but we are still a long way off having the money to carry out all the repairs and refurbishments that need to be done.'

The money is needed to carry out a range of repairs around the centre and give the entire building an overhaul, including new furniture.

The latest funds to be added to the pot came from a sponsored walk in which six staff at the centre and members of the association walked 13 miles and made an estimated £1,500 in donations and pledges.

The Ker-mel School of Dancing raised £2,880 after putting on two variety shows, featuring children aged three to 15, and thew proceeds of a raffle will go towards repairs to the centre's roof.

The association is hoping to reach the £50,000 mark in the next nine months.

It will then start applying for grants in a bid to raise the extra money needed for the work to be done.

Fund-raisers are also lining up more events and activities over the coming months such as a wartime -themed concert, an Abba tribute night and a Christmas fair.

n For more information about events at Thorngate Halls, or if you want to help with fund-raising, visit www.thorngatehalls.co.uk or call (023) 92 510 012

rob.dabrowski

@thenews.co.uk