The past year has been one of the most challenging in the Groups 80+ years of existence. Not only have we not been able to hold any face-to-face activities, we have not been able to hold any of our fundraising events, and have had no income from letting out our HQ.
We normally raise around £7,500 per year from events such as the Pantomime, Gang Show and Christmas Fayre. We have also not been charging termly subscriptions for our 100+ Young People for nearly a year. Due to the fact that the HQ is assessed as part of the Church premises, the business rates exemption means we are disqualified from applying for financial support from the local authority under the various business and charity support schemes that are open to other Scout Groups.
Despite this, we have still had significant outgoings, there is a fixed membership fee which the Group still has to pay for each child every year. There are also utility bills and costs related to the upkeep of our premises. We expect our overall outgoings for this current financial year will total approximately £4,000 for HQ running costs and approximately £5,000 for membership subscriptions.
As we have not been charging termly subs recently, we would like to ask parents/carers and group supporters, if they are able, to consider making a voluntary donation to the Group to help cover our annual costs. We are very aware that this year has seen many families face financial challenges and so if you are not in a position to make a donation this will not affect your child’s membership of the Group.
We have set up a donation facility below via our secure PayPal account.
If anybody is interested in donating but would rather do so via another method, then please email treasurer@23rdbromleyscouts.org.
You can keep up to date with our donations by visiting our donation page.
We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to everyone that makes a donation. As an organisation we are reliant on fundraising, donations and subscription payments. All donations will allow us to continue to provide high quality Scouting for Young People in the local area.
Best wishes
Jenny Owens and Sandra Goodwin
Group Scout Leaders