Barrhead scouts need YOUR help
Published 27 Apr 2012 09:30
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READY FOR ACTION: Leaders and members prepare to tackle the dilapidated scout hall
A BARRHEAD Scout troop have rolled up their sleeves and started the massive job of repairing their dilapidated Scout Hut.
We told recently how the 1st Barrhead Group need to raise a staggering £10,000 to fix their run-down HQ.
And displaying the fighting spirit of their legendary founder Lord Baden Powell, the lads got stuck in on Saturday to begin the task.
But it was a heartbreaking sight to witness the youngsters having to chuck a lot of their weather-damaged possessions into a skip.
The boys cleared ruined sporting kit from the hut including a pool table, chairs, toys and nets, as well as ruined board games.
The proud boys have been made practically homeless since freak winter storms of January 2011 wrecked their Arthurlie Street hall, leaving holes in the roof and walls sodden with damp.
The 1st Barrhead's problems have snowballed since, when entire sections of the roof collapsed due to drifting snow over the last winter. The pipes burst because water damage to the electrics prevented leaders from turning on the heating - allowing dampness and rot to infest the interior.
The group has been flitting from school to school across town for meetings as they fight to keep going.
And they are sadly starved of funds as they are unable to stage events at their base.
The company's leaders estimate it will take at least £10,000 to put things right and give the East Ren youngsters back their meeting hall.
But Scout Leader Janet Campbell, 43, is refusing to give up the fight and has been encouraging her group to Be Prepared for the mammoth task ahead in restoring their hut.
She said: "I hate having to throw all this stuff out but it has cleared the place which was badly needed. We've filled the skip, which was kindly donated by Murdochs, with stuff which was too badly damaged and we'll have to start again..
"The main thing is to fix the roof and the ceilings - once that's done you could start working on the inside and even start letting it out again which would help get money in to fix the place up."
Scout leader Samantha Hay, 21, added: "It's not been ideal. If we had our own hall we'd be much more free to generate funds. We obviously can't put tents and things like that up in school - we can't even play football in them so it's not great.
The News is backing the 1st Barrhead in their fund-raising efforts and is appealing for anyone who can help to get in touch with us.
You can also contact Janet Campbell on 07756 4748 129 or weejinty@live.co.uk.
This article appeared in Barrhead News 27 Apr 12
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