STAFF at a timber merchants have been doffing their hard hats to the Back on Track appeal, donating a fantastic £500.

Steve James, branch manager of Morgan Timber & Boards, Kidderminster, said the money had been donated from a "tea fund".

He explained: "We used to have a nominal amount of money taken from our wages to cover the cost of tea and coffee.

"When this changed, we continued to have the money taken out so it could go towards worthy causes instead."

The Park Lane company has made donations to several causes in recent years, including the Shuttle/Times & News Operation Covert appeal two years ago.

Mr James said: "It's nice to be able to do something for the community and we always choose local causes.

"The situation Stourport Hockey Club and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club found themselves in after the fire was terrible and it's nice to be able to do something towards helping them."

Mr James said efforts were made to ensure all the staff were happy with the cause chosen as the recipient of the fund.

He added: "We all felt a bit sickened by the destruction of the clubhouse and what had been done to young people in Wyre Forest."

Mr James explained sport was vital for the development of young people, helping them to keep fit and involving them socially with one another.

He added: "I know the clubs have also reached a high sporting standard and it is important they are able to carry on for the good of the whole area."

He added: "We are pleased by how the Shuttle/Times & News appeal is going and if a few more companies could dip into their pockets it would do even better.

"We are just lucky we have money available for this purpose."