A LONG-RUNNING fundraising event has been cancelled for the first time in 33 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dorchester and West Dorset District Scouts has been forced to cancel this year’s Scout Christmas Post.

The Scout group has now set up a Crowdfunder campaign to cover funds usually raised by the annual activity.

The Scout Christmas Post provides residents with a Christmas card delivery service, as scouts and adult helpers work through all weather conditions to ensure that cards are collected, stamped, sorted and delivered to their intended recipients.

The initiative has run for the past 33 years and has provided a welcome service to the local community as well as aiding in the funding of the scouting group.

Last year’s event lead to the delivery of around 30,000 cards and raised approximately £8,000 for local Scouting.

In previous years, the money that is raised has always directly supported scouting activities in the west Dorset area.

The fund contributes to providing the young people with new skills promoting positive

citizenship within the next generation.

The Scout group has launched the campaign with a target of raising £5,000 through donations from the public.

The funding is being raised to ensure the group can continue to provide young people in the area with support, skills and fun activities.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Whilst we are extremely saddened not to be running this year, we will always put the safety of our young people and volunteers first.

“With the money that we raise we will be able to continue to provide scouting activities for hundreds of young people across our district and to give the adult volunteers the support and tools that they need to carry this out safely and to ensure that it is fun.

“Please help us to keep Scouting going.”

Scout Post will resume next Christmas all being well.

To support the fundraiser visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/please-help-us-to-keep-scouting-going