The Rotary Club of Ashby de la Zouch has donated £5,000 to the 4th Ashby Scout group to help replenish the funds that had been used to renovate their new headquarters.

The group needed a new premises due to the growing demand for Scouting opportunities in the area.

Their new building in Donisthorpe, previously used by Donisthorpe scouts and owned by the District Scout movement, was vacant as the local scout group no longer existed.

The building was in a poor state of repair and the 4th Ashby Scouts used most of their available money on essential repairs such as electrical and plumbing work, heating, decorating, and essential sound deadening to the main room ceiling.

The donation from Ashby Rotary will replenish the Scout Group's funds and is expected to help with further renovation.

A small section of the 4th Ashby Scout Group

The money from Ashby Rotary came from the Eric Bradford Charity Fund, a legacy to the club from Eric and Betty Bradford, an Ashby family who owned the Chinacraft shop in the town.

Eric had been a member of Ashby Rotary Club for many years while Betty was a Girl Guide District Commissioner.

It is thought that the donation would have received their enthusiastic support.

The 4th Ashby Scout Group now has 150 members and it is expected that the number will grow to around 200 by the end of the year.

A total of 24 volunteers lead the scouts in their activities, but more volunteer leaders are necessary to manage all of the wide variety of activities enjoyed by the group's members.

Group Scout Leader John Bloor received the donation from Paul Cook, President of Ashby Rotary Club.

John said: "We are enormously grateful to Ashby Rotary for this generous gift.

"The work we had to do to make these premises habitable has been greater than we expected and there is still more to do.

"We now know that we will be able to continue the work.

"Everyone in 4th Ashby is a volunteer, giving their time so as many children as possible can have access to scouting - but we need more helpers please, for all age groups, to help manage the group and continue to improve the Scout Centre.

"If anyone can help in anyway, and have lots of fun along the way, please email [email protected]."