St Andrews Scoutssend out an SOS

An open event is being held this Sunday, March 19, aimed at recruiting people to take ona variety of roles in the organisation, which has been established in the town for more than a century.

The 8th Fife (St Andrews) Scouts has more than 100 boys and girls aged between aged from six to 17.

But according to Group Scout Leader Stephen Linton, many of them will be left disappointed if more volunteers can’t be found.

“We simply can’t keep going without more volunteer help,” he said.

“We need leaders to help run our weekly meetings; we need skills instructors to help with activities; we need admin, fund-raising and other support behind the scenes.

“If we don’t get more help all of our activities will be limited and some may have to close.”

Among the most urgent roles to be filled is that of Beaver Scout Leader for the St Andrews Beaver colony of six to eight-year-olds.

If no-one comes forward to train as a leader, the colony faces closure after the summer.

The group is also in desperate need of a chairman of its executive committee, which oversees the group’s activities, liaises between the uniformed leaders and parents and supports the leaders

And as well as a chairman, more parents and friends are needed to serve on the executive committee, which meets about six times a year.

“There are a number of roles where we urgently need help to fill real needs and avoid overloading – and so losing – the volunteers we have,” said Stephen.

“Both Scout troops and both Cub packs urgently need a bigger group of leaders to share in the planning and running of meetings and camps and relieve the load on the current teams.

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t make it every week – if you are willing to give your time, we can find a way to make it work.”

Stephen said that there were lots of other ways people could help if they didn’t want to take on a leadership or committee role.

These include helping with membership records, helping on an occasional basis at camps and visits, organising social events and acting as a public relations contact.

The open event will be held between 11am and 1pm at the Scout hall on the East Scores, opposite the castle.