2nd Forres Boys' Brigade Company raising funds for equipment and excursions

LOCAL families aim to raise a total of £1000 to fund future activities for a youth group in the town.

2nd Forres Boys' Brigade Company - launched in 2017, now numbering 30 members across three sections with five adult helpers - is preparing for a return to 'normal' service in the autumn at St John’s Church on Victoria Road, and Company captain Graeme Ferguson is grateful to members and their families for taking on the challenge.

He explained: "Raising funds is vitally important. We are a small company and only have limited backing available to us. With the unprecedented challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, our activities and funding streams have been significantly reduced."

2nd Company want to continue learning through a varied programme - the fundraising challenge over July and August will also raise awareness of what the BBs do.

Each member has been given a minimum fundraising target and is raising funds individually or with friends. Parents and carers of members are also taking part. One example of a local fundraiser is one boy making his own keyrings to sell.

"Our boys are passionate about the Boys' Brigade," said Mr Ferguson. "The fundraising challenge should provide a much-needed cash injection which will allow us to provide more activities next session and allow us the opportunity to take our boys on a well-deserved trip next year.

"The money raised will go towards equipment for us and I would like to take the boys to Glasgow to visit my old company, 118 Glasgow, that I attended when I was a child, and maybe a visit to a football match."

Throughout the coronavirus lockdown, 2nd Forres BB Company has been providing online activities to help keep members and families entertained. Programme #BBatHOME allows the organisation to continue to engage with members and their families.

"We also had our annual awards evening online via Zoom in May," said Mr Ferguson. "We had a quiz and treasure hunt night in June, again using Zoom. Unfortunately we had to postpone our first ever camp at Brodie Castle but we are looking to reschedule for a weekend in September.

"We have also had weekly Zoom meetings with boys from all three sections. However, we are looking forward to getting back to face-to-face meetings and activities including quizzes, bible work, games, and our annual enrolment service."

The Boys' Brigade (BB) is an international interdenominational Christian youth organisation, started in Glasgow in 1883 by Sir William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values.

For more information visit www.forres-boysbrigade.com or email gjf28@yahoo.co.uk.