A SCOUT group formed before the outbreak of World War One won’t be deterred by mindless vandals.
And the 1st Shaw Group is already more than halfway towards a crowd funding target of £2,000 to repair damage caused by a recent break in at their Hunger Hill headquarters.
Local funeral directors Hedley Jackson have contributed £500 towards the cost of reparation work with other pledges on a regular basis since news of the damage on October 3-4 was revealed.
Colin Baker, group scout leader, told the Correspondent: “Most of the damage was done to the doors.
“It seems to have been the work of a frustrated burglar who couldn’t find anything of value. We don’t keep anything valuable on site.
“I suppose we have been fortunate because we reckon this was only the fourth incident of this type in 40 years.
“But we know of a group in Rochdale has been targeted three times this year and another one in Middleton has also suffered a break-in.”
Money raised through the Justgiving page will be used to introduce CCTV cameras and an alarm system to further protect the premises on Kershaw Street.
A fence erected after a successful Lottery grant is already a deterrent to anti-social behaviour.
1st Shaw can boast more than 80 cubs, beavers, scouts and explorers while the 12th Shaw also meet at Kershaw Street with another 15 cubs.
In addition, the building is used by Diddikicks football group, Crompton FC and an archery club
The 1st Shaw group was started in 1913 just three years after Lord Robert Baden Powell founded the Boy Scouts Association.
The Shaw contingent met in a Nissan hut close to the present headquarters.
Commenting on their donation Debbie, Ken, Sally and Sam from Hedley Jackson’s wrote: “As a family we go back decades with 1st Shaw and appreciate the time, effort and dedication from all the volunteers up at Hunger Hill. We hope this helps.”
Anyone wishing to help the group meet its target can pledge online at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/1st-shaw-scout-group