LEADERS of the Scout post in Dorchester have delivered proceeds from their festive fundraiser.

They handed over cheques worth £2,275 to 13 community groups at the Scout and Guide hut in Sawmills Lane in Dorchester.

The money was raised from the annual Scout post in Dorchester when volunteers collected and delivered 41,145 items of mail for Christmas.

Half the £5,164 proceeds – donations by people posting letters and cards – went to the Scouts and half went to local charities nominated by the Dorchester District Scout Council.

Oliver Pope, president of the Dorchester and District Scouts, said: “The presentation represented all that the Scouts stand for – doing good for others.

“To be able to present such an amount was phenomenal and it shows how vibrant the Scouting movement is.”

Nearly 50 people attended the presentation, including Dorchester mayor Susie Hosford, Scout post organiser John Scutt and Scouts assistant district commissioner Dave Ling.

Coun Hosford said: “The Scout post means so much to so many people.

“Thanks go from the bottom of our hearts to the Scouts.”

Mr Pope presented proceeds of £175 each to charity representatives, who then explained how the money would be spent.

Charities and good causes to benefit included Dorchester Rotary Club, the Salvation Army Over 60s Club, Dorchester Social Stroke Club, the Friends of Digby Court, Julia’s House children’s hospice and West Dorset Women’s Refuge.

Others to receive cheques were Dorchester Community Mental Health Team, Dorset Advocacy, the Dorchester link of the Dorset ME Support Group, Dorset Scrapstore, Headway West, Dorchester Lions Club and the Dorchester group of Coeliac UK.

Sue Mottram, from the Headway West group for people with brain injuries and their carers, said the money would be used to improve decking at their centre off Poundbury Road.

Mr Ling said: “Seeing the money presented and where it goes makes all the traipsing through the snow and ice in December worth it.”

He added: “Thanks go to all of the helpers.”

A team of about 50 volunteers were involved in the 22nd Scout post in December.