Imagine the scene... a couple of leaders go to the scout hut in the village of Bridge of Earn, near Perth, Scotland to make sure all is OK following a heavy storm. They discover that, due to water ingress, the rear storeroom has taken on the characteristics of a small swimming pool.

Upon further investigation, it was found that years of leakage meant that the whole roof needed replacing. Fearless as ever, the 14th Perthshire commissioned the work, knowing that their ever-resourceful scouts and cubs would find a way to pay for the job, and their future activities.

Since our campaign began, we have seen an incredible spirit of generosity, notably with kind gifts from those who benefited from scouting in their younger years. Current cubs and scouts have done bake sales, litter picks and a whole range of good works for their community. They have clearly taken on Baden-Powell's immortal words: "Try and leave this world a little better than you found it."

Cub leader Dan Jones and his son Matt Jones are keen runners, and in 2019, ran the Dublin Marathon together. They had planned to run the Edinburgh Marathon 2020 which was postponed until 2021, only to find that again, this year's marathon is to be held as a 'virtual' event.

A virtual marathon is one where an athlete can run a full 26 miles, 385 yards (or 42.195km) at a time and place of their choosing. Runners must use an accurate GPS device to track themselves, and provide satisfactory evidence of completion to the organisers.

Dan has devised a route making up the full distance in and around Bridge of Earn.

A map showing the route will be posted here SOON! For those who know the area, there will be three stretches. One will be the Pitkeathley Wells loop, another the Dron church loop via Ballmanno Castle and the the third, to Hay House Farm at the end of the Rhynd Road. Loops one and two will be run twice.

The Covid-19 crisis has been a difficult period for everyone and our Scout Group is no different. We have lost the majority of our regular income streams of hut rental and fundraising events. Despite lack of face to face meetings, our running costs have actually increased - the membership fee that we must pay to The Scout Association each year to meet rising safeguarding and insurance costs has increased.

As we cannot return to our traditional face to face fundraising opportunities for some time; we are launching a campaign to help address some of the losses and challenges. Our focus at present and for the future is very much about giving all of our young people amazing opportunities; enabling them to achieve their best and gain skills for life, even during this unprecedented period.