AN ENTERPRISING group of Barry guides are preparing to show they mean business in a bid to save their meeting hall from closure.

10th Barry Guides took a £250 donation from Virgin Money and hope to transform this into profit to fund their base’s repair appeal.

The savvy girls, who include rainbows, brownies and rangers, are hoping their business skills will help build on the £20,000 total needed to restore the deteriorating structure.

They and the Friends of 10th Barry Guide Hall have so far raised £4,000 with a Sigma 3 offer of a trade price kitchen on the table and solar panelling – which will cut the group’s energy bill – up for installation.

The 100-plus guides are currently without hot water and other problems include a collapsing ceiling, a rotten floor and holes appearing due to damp, and a kitchen that is falling apart.

The group also needs new fire doors and a new front fire-safe door to accommodate disability access.

The hall, in Barry’s West End, was built by the Friends of 10th Barry committee and the parents of guides and opened by the chief guide on October 5 1968.

The girls will set up businesses – sales or service – to make a profit for the appeal. The guides also designed a badge, to celebrate the scheme, and guide Grace D emerged triumphant with her creation.

Cardiff-based Virgin Money business ambassador Mario Dodosek said: “Virgin Money as a bank are trying to make sure we help out in our community and make everyone better off so one of the things we are doing in the community is what we call make £5 grow. It’s primarily for schoolchildren between the ages of nine and 11 and for the guides it’s something new that we’re doing. It’s something exciting for me because we’ve not done this before and it’s just there to try and make money for whatever their needs are so in this case to help save the guide hall.

“We are hoping that if this is successful that we can launch it to other scouts and guide groups as well.”

“I’m really excited and hope we can help them in restoring the hall.”

Chairwoman of Friends of 10th Barry Guide Hall and leader Suzanne Butcher, also known as Nana Blackberry, said: “We saw the Virgin Money challenge and thought that after the fantastic spread the Barry & District had given us, it would be an ideal opportunity if Virgin Money allowed us to do it because it’s only supposed to be for schools.

“We’ve asked them to design a material badge to aim for as well as a certificate Virgin Money will give them.

“Some have already started their little businesses. One started a dog walking business two weeks ago and has already made £31. The money will help save the hall.

“We’re hoping the badge will go UK-wide. To earn the badges they will have to take part in the fiver challenge. The businesses are quite varied.

“The donation means a lot to the guides – it means saving the hall or we’d have to close it. It’s difficult, but we’re doing it with a smile on our face. It’s all about having fun.”

The group is keen to hear from anyone who can help it with the appeal.

To find out more about the Fiver challenge, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com

For details and offers of expertise, like 10th Barry Guide Hall on Facebook.