A sea of celebration as Scouts win £3k prize

The 2nd Warwick Sea Scouts were this month named as regional winner in a national contest for the cash in hope of upping the kitty for its ongoing appeal.

The Jewson Building Better Communities competition called for groups to pull in votes from their town in exchange for cash.

And your support took the youngsters into the top spot in what Janette Eslick - who is leading the new hut appeal - said was a “delight”.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point,” she said. “The support we received while out leafleting and the number of votes we received have made a real difference in helping us achieve this award.

“We’re still working hard to raise the remaining funds, but, when we do build our new hut, it will allow us to reduce our large waiting list and offer sea scouting to more than 100 more children.

“It will also be a valuable resource for the community, in a central location in Warwick.”

The competition was launched in March 2016, and saw more than 1,800 community projects nominated.

The Scouting group offers rowing, kayaking and water-based activities - but with more than 130 eager teenagers on the waiting list, it needs a new hut to expand.