PJ Hallinan, chairman of the popular youth club has said a fundraising campaign has been reignited to rake in money to pay for the roof.

A staggering 175,000 euro now needs to be coined in to enable the second phase of the massive build to go ahead.

This entails getting the roof put on and PJ said he has no doubt the community will help the club reach their goal.

He told the Derry Journal: "We are commencing phase two of the project which is to get the roof on, the plastering and exterior plastering done.

"We have been looking at the finances and we need to raise a substantial amount.

"Phase one and phase two are costing 525,000 in total. And we need to raise 30 per cent of that cost.

We have been grant-aided 350,000 euros from the Department of Sport and Tourism.

"We have done fundraising campaigns and they have been very successful, we are in the process of putting together a fundraising draw.

"And hopefully the community will get behind us once again to get the work done."

And despite it being the youth club's busiest time, coordinating the huge extension, they have more than 730 children attending the club - their biggest ever number.

Pleading for public support, PJ added: "Please get behind us.

"The youth club is really important to the whole community.

"As they say in racing circles the home finish is in sight, and we would love to be in a position where we would have it up and running by early next year.

"It is not impossible, but we do badly need as much help and support we can get.

Huge demand

"There is a huge demand for youth activities in Buncrana.

"At the moment we have more than 730 kids using the place which is the highest ever number.

"The additional capacity means we can run more activities at the same time.

"And we can look at introducing activities.

"Anybody that says there is nothing to do in Buncrana must be on another planet, because there is loads going on."

The third phase - getting the interior done - will be started once phase two is complete.