A FUNDRAISING campaign to buy goats for a woodland area has been saved, with only hours left to spare.

Tortworth Forest Centre was raising money to introduce the animals to the Tortworth Arboretum through Bristol-based online crowd funding site Fundsurfer, but had not reached their goal going into the final night of fundraising.

That was at least until the intervention of businessman Howard Skidmore who donated £300 to the campaign the day before it closed, pushing the funds past the target of £850 to £940.

With the money, the forest centre plans to introduce an adult goat as well as three kids, with the rest of the funds going towards building them a shelter and paying for vet fees.

Mr Skidmore was given the opportunity to name one of the goats coming to the Arboretum, choosing to name it after his new company TechJunctionUK.

Tortworth Arboretum is at present being restored by Rebecca Cork and groups of volunteers who, over the last year, have cleared up significant areas of the woodland by hand to encourage new flowers and plant growth, and have been able identify many ancient and rare trees.

Ms Cork said: “We are ecstatic that Howard has stepped in at the eleventh hour. We desperately wanted to get some goats to help keep the weeds under control and to have some lovely animals around while we work.

“Restoring Tortworth Arboretum is a real labour of love, I get immense pleasure in my work, and in seeing the volunteers who come and help each week.

"Howard has actually volunteered his time before to the arboretum and has seen much of the work we have done.

"We are always welcoming of visitors to the arboretum as well as any volunteers who would like to help with our conservation work.

“We can’t wait to welcome TechJunctionUK to the woods. Although she might get nickname of TJ!”"

Mr Skidmore said: “As cyber professionals we value innovation and understand that a technical solution often isn’t the best response.

“The team at the Tortworth Forest Centre have shown great innovation on two fronts. Firstly, it is an inspired solution to use goats to control the weeds, the alternatives being machinery and harsh chemicals.

“Secondly, the usage of Fundsurfer to finance the solution, we know all too well that sometimes it’s nice to support the new kid on the block. TechJunctionUK is a new start up too!”