The 1st Westgate-on-Sea Scout Group have been awarded £5,000 from Persimmon Homes Building Futures Fund.
The annual fund has top awards ranging from £5,000 to £100,000 to support children in health, sport, education and the arts.
The Westgate scout group made it through to the finals and, following an appeal on The Isle of Thanet News for public votes, found out it was a fund winner at a gala dinner prizegiving this month.
The cash will mean its roof repair fund has now hit the group’s target of £15,000.
Gavin Wallis (Akela), from 1st Westgate-on-Sea Scout Group, said: “We would like to say thank you to The Isle of Thanet News and your readers. We were donated £5000 in the Persimmon Homes Building Futures Fund and we also got to meet some sporting heroes including Olympic gold medallists Kat Copeland and Callum Skinner and Doddie Weir, the former Scottish rugby international player.
“Our roof fund is now complete so we can move on to raising money for insulating the walls and for our mains gas supply.
“We help and support young people by teaching them skills for life while having fun and taking part in adventurous activities. This in turn helps them with their interpersonal and leadership skills along with the importance of teamwork.”
The 1st Westgate-on-Sea Scouts is run by leaders including Beckany Morriss and Gemma Lambeth for the Beavers section, Gavin for Cubs and Peter Farbrace as Scout and group Scout leader.
1st Westgate Sections and meeting times
- Beavers (ages 6–8) – meet Tuesday 5.15pm to 6.30pm
- Cubs (ages 8-10½) – meet Tuesday 6.45pm to 8.15pm
- Scouts (ages 10½–14) – meet Thursday 7pm to 9pm
Find more by emailing [email protected] or visit The Billabong, St Crispin’s Road, Westgate, CT8 8EB on meeting nights.