Dorridge Scout Group have welcomed a £2,000 donation from the Knowle and Dorridge Round Table towards the overall costs of resurfacing their car park, thanks to proceeds of the last Dorridge Day festival.
The Scouts hope to make the car park safer, smoother and more usable for their many outdoor activities, as well as improving it for parents picking up their children.
The Scout hut is on the edge of Dorridge Park, where the annual Dorridge Day fete is held each September, organised by men’s social meet-up and charitable organisation, The Round Table.
Although last year was the first since 1974 that Dorridge Day did not take place, the 2019 Cycle and Recycle event was the most successful yet, and Knowle and Dorridge Round Table donated a portion of ticket sales to the Scouts.
“We are really pleased to receive this generous donation,” said Lesley Bilney, Group Scout Leader of Dorridge Scout Group.
“It’s a very difficult time for us all, but we are delighted to have this contribution towards the costs of resurfacing of our car park.”
Dorridge Scout group has a close relationship with Knowle and Dorridge Round Table, and in previous years has lent a helping hand on the Santa Sleigh runs with its Scout leaders, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts helping to collect donations.
The Round Table had to live up to their motto of ‘Adopt, Adapt, Improve’ in the last year, more than any other, adapting the Santa Sleigh to include food collections – as well as a unique Summer run out for Santa in June and July – but Covid-19 meant the Scouts could not lend a hand.
“We wanted to make this donation to thank the Scouts for all the years they’ve joined us and Santa, carrying around donation buckets on the roads of Dorridge, Bentley Heath, Knowle and Hockley Heath,” said Mike Liddington, Chairman of Knowle and Dorridge Round Table.
“It’s been perhaps our most challenging year yet, in which we’ve had to adapt every single event – and sadly cancelled Dorridge Day – but the local community has helped us triumph over adversity, donating around £30,000 worth of food to us, which have gone to Birmingham-based food banks.”
The winter Santa Sleigh raised £6,393 in cash and online donations, £2,500 in sponsorship from estate agents DM & Co. Homes, and approximately £10,000 in food donations, on top of £20,000 of food and £4,670 in money donations in the summer.
“We realised there was a pressing need for families in food crisis this year, so for the first time Santa started collecting food while giving out his usual good cheer,” said Mike Liddington.
The Round Table teamed up with St George and St Teresa Parish SVP Team, who helped distribute the £30,000 worth of food and goods to food banks around Birmingham.
“It has been a challenging but hugely rewarding year. We desperately hope that Dorridge Day will return in September to bring some fun, joy and normality back to our lives – there’s every reason to hope it will,” said Mike Liddington.
Find out more about joining Knowle and Dorridge Round Table, the social meet-up and charitable group for men aged 18-45, on www.kandd.org.uk or search on Facebook for its sister organisation, the Knowle and Dorridge Ladies Circle.
