25th February 2010

DORCHESTER: Delivering a nice little cheque

by Anita Harries

DORCHESTER'S Christmas Scout post was an overwhelming success.

In two weeks they collected, sorted and delivered 41,145 cards in the county town, hitting their 40,000 target and missing last year’s figure by only 58.

The amount received from the public for this service was £5,164, considerably more than the recommended 10p per card.

This is a monumental task, but one which the local Dorchester and District Scout Council and their helpers have working like clockwork.

Even with “Postmaster General” John Scutt, whose brainchild the first scout post was 22-years-ago, taking a low profile this time due to ill health, he has trained everyone so well everything still ran smoothly.

The invaluable help given by the volunteers was recognised at presentation evening held in the Scout and Guide Hall in Dorchester.

Some of the money collected by the Scout Post, a sum of £2,275, was distributed to 13 local charities and organisations, each receiving £175 for their cause.

Among those benefiting were the Dorchester Social Stroke Club, West Dorset Women’s Refuge, Headway West, and the Dorset ME Support Group.

Presenting the cheques to each organisation in turn, President of the Dorchester and District Scouts, Oliver Pope, said of the scheme: “This epitomises everything the scouting movement stands for.

“It is a tremendous achievement to put so much back into the community, and is a tribute to the hard work and vibrancy of the local scout groups.”

The Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Susie Hosford, was also present. She gave a vote of thanks from the people of Dorchester for the amazing service provided by the Scout Post.

She said: “This valuable service of collecting and delivering cards means so much to so many people.” She also collected a cheque for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, her mayoral charity for the year, and one in which she is heavily involved both as a carer and a fundraiser.

The remaining half of the money brought in by the Scout Post goes to benefit scouting in the Dorchester district.

Funds are needed to train leaders in a whole range of areas including first aid.

It will also provide money for the District Activity Camp and Goose 2010, and assist in funding a local scout to take part in the next Jamboree due to be held in Sweden.

For the first time this year, Ridgeway Radio was at the presentation evening, recording the proceedings to play to hospital patients.

PICTURE: Representatives from local organisations who received a share of the cheque held by Oliver Pope and Susie Hosford