The group, the region’s biggest Scout troop, were dealt a blow earlier this month when their Caledonian Place base was deemed unfit for use.
They appealed to the commun- ity to help nd temporary space to allow them to host their Beaver and Cub nights, with both the Mid Annandale Comrades Club and the Masonic Hall management teams offering help.
The group’s Rebecca Humes this week said: “We are so delighted that these places have helped us to continue our section nights in their premises.
“Robert, my husband, and I have opened our home and garden to the Scout Troop for the time being to continue our scouting programme. Once the lighter nights come in we are hoping to make more use of out- door pursuits where we can.”
She added: “The response for help has been incredible.
“We have had lots of people give us accommodation ideas, informa- tion on grants we could apply for and just sending well wishes to us and offers of help where they can.
“Others are giving nancial as- sistance with anonymous benefac- tors giving amounts of £500 and £200. We are overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity, especially as we have such a large sum to nd.”
And now the troop are aiming to raise £100,000 and have set up a Just Giving page, looking for dona- tions, and are also planning a host of fundraisers.
Rebecca said: “We are aiming to raise the money by putting our cause out there and making people aware of our situation.
“I believe we are a big part of the community in Lockerbie with around 150 members and this has really been evident this past week or so.
“We have many fundraisers or- ganised too, such as our adult party night this Saturday night at the MACC, a sponsored swim, bingo night and much more in the pipe- line. We will try and raise as much as we can as a group, but our cause will fundamentally have to be met by funding and grants.”
It has not yet been decided if the £100k will go towards xing the exiting hall or nding a new home.
Further assessments of the hall are due to take place shortly and Rebecca says in an ideal world it will be able to be restored.
Once again thanking the com- munity, she said: “Everyone at Lockerbie Scout Group would like to thank all of those who have mes- saged us with support, advice and suggestions.
“We would also like to thank everyone who has donated towards our cause so far, any size of dona- tion will help.”
To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lockerbiescoutgroup
