We need more scout volunteers or groups will have to close (From Bournemouth Echo)

We need more scout volunteers or groups will have to close

4:00pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Alex Winter

OUR PLEA: The 2nd Corfe Mullen Ravens Beaver Colony with their leaders Fiona and Richard Small

YOUNG Scouts in East Dorset are set to suffer if new volunteers are not found to lead the groups.

More adults are needed across the 13 groups in East Dorset, with each group running Beaver colonies, Cub packs, Scout troops and Explorer Scouts.

Volunteer Ginny Ennis said there are still 400 youngsters still waiting for a place, but groups could be forced to merge or close altogether without help.

“We’ve completed a recruitment drive on the Minster green in Wimborne, but we’ve had no response whatsoever,” she said.

“We’re lucky that we have some wonderful volunteers who work very hard to make sure that the groups remain open, but we urgently need more help. It is getting to be a desperate situation. “We are facing having to close or merge certain groups.”

The East Dorset District Scouts already have 1,000 young members, who take part in activities including abseiling, archery, craft work and IT.

Mrs Ennis said: “The demand is so high.

“We’ve just opened another Cub group. There are a lot of young people waiting for a place.

“Many have seen their brothers and sisters coming through and want to join too, or a friend from school has said something about it, and there is a huge waiting list.

“We’ve even known about parents who get their child on the list when they’re born, just to make sure there is a place when they turn six. It’s very popular.”

Mrs Ennis, who lives in Canford Bottom, said even those who can only offer a few hours a month will be welcome.

“It’s such a worthwhile thing to do,” she said.

“If it just keeps one kid off the streets, it’s worth it.”

To volunteer for the East Dorset District Scouts, email mdmeddc@gmail.com or visit scouts.org.uk