Warning Zone buzzed with excited Year 6 pupils for the first time on 15th March when the Capital Funding Campaign was launched to the public.

With a target of re-opening to schools in September 2011, the charity has yet to raise £400,000 in order to complete the refurbishment of the Frog Island building. In the past year, over £600,000 has been raised from a variety of sources including charitable foundations, personal gifts and businesses which has covered the purchase of the building and funded ongoing construction work. Now the race is on to reach the £1 million target.

The day started with breakfast news coverage on BBC Radio Leicester followed by a live interview with Chief Executive Sharon Binfield-Hill (Binney). Radio news coverage then continued all day on Radio Leicester, Capital East Midlands and Oak FM.

The launch was attended by invited guests including existing and prospective funders and supporters, the Lord Lieutenants of Leicestershire and Rutland and the Lord Mayor of Leicester who listened to speeches from Chairman of the Campaign Committee and High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Col. Robert Martin, President of the Campaign, Richard Everard, Chief Fire Officer, David Webb, Chief Constable, Simon Cole and Binney.

Using a portable scenario based on arson and the consequences of offending and a desk top exercise about risk, four Warning Zone volunteers worked with pupils from Marriott Junior School in the city and Richard Hill C of E Primary from Thurcaston, to demonstrate to guests just what Warning Zone is all about.

Other volunteers were also on hand to explain how the planned scenarios will work and guests were also given guided tours of the building to view the works in progress.

For details on how to contribute to the Campaign, click on "How you can help" on our website www.warningzone.org.uk