The South Wales Freemasons have come to the help of a Cardiff Scout Group.
Over the Spring and Summer of 2020, the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group in Cardiff met virtually over the “Zoom” video conferencing platform because it was not possible to meet normally due to the coronavirus restrictions.
When group activity was once again allowed in Wales following the national lockdown, the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group in Cardiff wanted their Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to resume their normal meetings, albeit outside to start with.
To meet, the Scout group needed to make sure they had bought enough PPE to ensure the safety of the children and the leaders. For this they needed money, and so they approached the Freemasons for financial help.
The 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group has over 60 children, both boys and girls, from the ages of 6 to 14, and the group funds its activities through subscription payments and through income from the popular Cardiff and Vale Christmas Scout Post. However, this year income has dried up, principally because 2020 Scout Post has been cancelled because of safety concerns resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Outgoings have not reduced, and this has caused a problem for Scout groups all over Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and not just the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group.
Following the request, the South Wales Freemasons donated £425 to the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group for the purchase of required PPE, enabling the Group to meet safely again.
Patrick Pattison of the South Wales Freemasons said: “We were happy to support this as a local service which benefits the community. As a father of child who attended Scouts, I’m well aware how this donation can make such a significant difference.”
Simon Jones, the Group Scout Leader for the 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group said: “We are really grateful for the kind donation made to 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group. Due to the lockdown, we have had to learn a whole new way of providing virtual scouting, and now find ourselves in yet another new position of being allowed to run face-to-face meetings, but under tighter restrictions. Our income for the year is substantially lower than previous years, and we have found ourselves having to invest in new equipment to allow us to provide scouting within the government guidelines. Your generous donation will enable us to purchase enough PPE to run long into the future, whilst providing a safe environment for the children and adults in the group. Not only this, but the money will also really help us to invest in equipment that will allow us to continue to provide great activities to the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts. On behalf of everyone in the group, I would like to say a huge thank you for your kindness.”
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Pictured: Simon Jones (l), Group Scout Leader, and James Jones (r), Scout. 3rd Rhiwbina Scout Group