The 85 boys and girls of the 1st Fenstanton & Hilton Scout Group will be sleeping even sounder over the coming years, thanks to a generous £700 donation from the NISA "Making A Difference Locally" community fund.
The independent NISA local store in Fenstanton nominated the Scout Group to receive the funds after a request for help to replace tents.
The Group is extremely active and works hard to ensure that the young people are able to make the most of the opportunities available - and this of course includes a lot of Nights Away. Each year all Sections take part in a range of such events. These can range from events such as a one night camp in St Ives for the Beaver Scouts (aged 5.75 to 8) a weekend camp near Bedford for the Cub Pack (aged 8 to 10.5) and the Scout Troop (aged 10.5 to 14) spending a week of the summer holidays at Kent International Jamboree - literally earning hundreds of Nights Away every year.
Store owner Prakash "Ash" Puntambekar said " I know what a difference Scouting makes so I was pleased to make the nomination, in support of the adventurous opportunities for so many local boys and girls"
Alice, a Cub Scout aged 9, said: “I love going camping as it gives me a chance to try lots of new fun activities with my friends. New tents will be great as it often rains when we go camping!”
Finlay, a Beaver Scout aged 7: " Camping is some of the best fun we have and I can't wait to try our new tents next time we go"
Nicki Halls, Chairperson, said: “This is one of the largest single donations the Scout Group has ever had so we are very grateful that Ash decided to nominate us and that NISA have given us such a large sum. Nights Away in scouting are a large part of the adventure so it's good that we can buy some new tents for the boys and girls to use."
