SUTTON Scout Ben Groom is heading for Africa this summer; to build a much-needed community centre. Ben, 15, and fellow scout Josh Lucus, from Haddenham, will travel with 18 other Cambridgeshire scouts to Ghana, and have set a fund-raising target of £2,500

SUTTON Scout Ben Groom is heading for Africa this summer; to build a much-needed community centre.

Ben, 15, and fellow scout Josh Lucus, from Haddenham, will travel with 18 other Cambridgeshire scouts to Ghana, and have set a fund-raising target of £2,500 each.

Starting off with a £350 sponsored haircut at Cutting It in Sutton, Ben has raised £1,700 in one year. He has bag-packed at Sainsbury's and Waitrose, held a ceilidh, washed cars, dug driveways, and carried out every gardening task going.

"January was the start of my odd job appeal," said Ben, "and I have washed cars, painted sheds, dug driveways, moved topsoil, cut grass and dug out a compost heap. I still have a fair way to go so if anyone has any odd jobs or car washing, please get in touch by ringing me on 01353 775396."

The Explorer Scouts will travel to the South-East Volta region of Ghana in August, to build a scout hut and community centre at HoHoe.