THE Back on Track appeal has soared its way past the midway milestone thanks to a £5,000 donation from Kidderminster and Dist-rict Youth Trust.

It is the biggest single donation to the appeal launched by the Shuttle/Times & News in January and means a staggering £13,330 has been raised towards the £25,000 target in just 10 weeks.

Peter Picken, a trustee of the youth trust, said he hoped the backing would boost the fund and encourage even more generosity from Wyre Forest individuals and organisations.

Since it was set up in 1965 the trust has donated more than £800,000 to district causes, benefiting young people such as Scout groups, schools and sports clubs.

He said: "The trust aims to support non-curriculum activities for children over the age of eight and we have assisted many sporting organisations.

"When we saw that two such good ambassadors for our district were in trouble - Stourport Hockey Club and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club - we felt that this was a very worthy cause for us to support."

He added: "Our trustees are local people who recognise the work that is done to ensure children are given the opportunity to pursue athletics and hockey.

"We also recognise that these clubs provide a facility for all the young people in Wyre Forest and provide a place where they can be taught community skills that will be with them all their lives."

The trust was originally set up to create a youth centre in Kidderminster and has since used income from leasing facilities to the county council to fund activities involving young people.

Mr Picken explained: "It would be devastating for the whole community if clubs like the athletics club and the hockey club couldn't continue. It is organisations like them that make our community what it is."

Mark Harradine, hockey club chairman, said: "We are so grateful for this donation which has given a huge boost to the appeal and, correspondingly, a huge boost to the youth development programmes of the two clubs.

"A donation such as this gives a real shot in the arm for the appeal and helps maintain the terrific momentum it has enjoyed to date. "

He added: "With the generosity displayed by organisations and individuals so far, we are very hopeful of reaching the target and undoing the damage caused by the senseless destruction of our facilities."

Sue Saunders, athletics club secretary, said: "It's wonderful news. We are really grateful to the trust. It means we are now on our way to replacing at least half of the equipment we need."

She added: "This comes at a vital time when we are preparing for our first meeting in April.

"Thanks to this donation and the recent £2,000 grant from England Athletics in particular, we now have the basic equipment we need to host this important warm up' event."