Eynsham Scouts send £700 to children's hospital (From Witney Gazette)

Eynsham Scouts send £700 to children's hospital

3:53pm Thursday 23rd March 2006 in Witney By Victoria Owen

SCOUTS in Eynsham have boosted the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign by £700 as a by-product of building their new hut.

As part of an appeal to raise £100,000 for their Scouting Hall, which was finally opened in April last year by Witney MP David Cameron, they have also managed to collect funds for the £20m development being built at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Friends of Eynsham Scouting chairman, Stephen Batts, said: "Because we'd raised a lot of money for the Scout group we thought it would be nice to donate some of it towards something else as well. The Scouts is a children's organisation anyway, so we thought it would be worthwhile to raise money for something that helps children."

The £700 donated to the hospital was collected during an annual sponsored bike ride, which has been held for two years in a row.

In 2004, 105 people took part in the 12-, 20-, and 40-mile routes, and together with Lloyds Pharmacy, in Acre End Street, Eynsham, boosted the appeal by £500. Another 60 people entered the event in 2005, which included a barbecue, raising another £200.

The Scouting Hall is used by about 120 Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts, as well as members of the public.

"The Scouts is a children's organisation, so we thought it would be worthwhile to raise money for something that helps children."

Friends of Eynsham Scouting chairman Stephen Batts