1st Forres Scout Group cancels Christmas Scout post due to coronavirus pandemic
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A TEAM of youngsters will not be making its traditional deliveries this Christmas.
The 1st Forres Scout Group – including Beavers (aged 6-8), Cubs (8-10), Scouts (10-14) and Explorers (14-18), as well as leaders, adult helpers, parents/carers and past scouts and leaders have, for the past three decades, run the Scout Post around the town during the festive period.
However, they have decided not to do it this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Secretary Louise Berry confirmed everyone involved felt saddened to miss out on delivering seasonal cheer this year.
She said: “Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, we find ourselves unable to provide this well-loved service to our town.
“We are extremely disappointed, but this is not a decision we have taken lightly.
“The running of the post is a complicated exercise which involves all of our young people, their families and many others from the community volunteering their time and we are unable to guarantee that this could be done safely for all participants.”
The local Cub Scouts usually deliver around 8000 Christmas cards and greetings for 30p each after sorting their mailboxes.
Louise said: “Our young people out and about delivering cards make connections with a wide range of people who are always pleased to see them and often have stories to tell of their own experiences in Scouting.
“They are saddened to miss out this year, but we would like to thank the people of Forres for their support with the post, it is very much appreciated.”
The 1st Forres Scouts hope to have the service up and running again next year – the Christmas post is their major fundraiser so they stand to lose a significant proportion of annual income this year. However, a link to raise funds is at 1stforres.scoutsites.org/uk/donate and any donations will be gratefully received.
