The BIG 20/20

We had a Sea Scouts Group Executive meeting yesterday, where we discussed all the usual business, including an update on fundraising plans through the summer.

The campaign we are running is called the BIG 20/20.  If we can raise £20,000 by the end of September, our benefactors have pledged to double it - so raise £20k and get another £20k, hence the name.

So far we've raised approximately £3,000.  After a few big events and activities at the end of the year, we've slowed down, but we have a packed programme of activities through the summer to achieve our target.

The biggest 2 potential money earners in the programme are:

• The annual Donkey Derby on 2 July 2011 at Eling Recreation Ground, Totton.  Donkey racing, bouncy castles, stalls, rides and general good fun.  This year it is the climax of the Totton Carnival week, which kicks off the previous weekend with a Carnival procession.  We also have some early ideas of what else we can do at the Carnival, and we'll firm up those plans in the coming months.  Meanwhile, Donkey Derby preparation is going well - the small but dedicated team are getting it all in place and we're looking forward to a bumper year in 2011.
• The Aquativity Grand Draw, with a big cash first prize and plenty of other excellent prizes.  Tickets are being prepared now for selling at every opportunity through the summer, with the draw at the end of September to maximise the time we have for raising money.

Alongside these, we have a Barn Dance on 1 April, bag packing, litter picking, a family fun day at Ferny Crofts (a chance to drum up interest in getting involved in the fundraising effort) and a Group Boating Day in September where I am sure we'll take the chance to run some side stalls, food etc.  The members of the Group are also busy filling smartie tubes with 20p's, selling things on eBay, buying things through easyfundraising, and I'm sure more ideas will come along through the year.

We all owe a big vote of thanks to the fundraising team (including the Donkey Derby team and the Beaver, Cub, Scout and Explorer leaders of course) for getting all this arranged.  We have an exciting summer ahead - plenty of hard work, but plenty of reward.  More volunteers are always welcome!

The momentum builds

First, the headline news - we have formally received Building Control approval - the design is acceptable to the local authority so we can proceed to construction.  Hooray!

We're finally in the process of making the last few arrangements to start building - getting approval of the facing materials to discharge our planning condition, completing the necessary forms for risk management, Health & Safety Executive notification etc.

We've had some really helpful discussions with our building contractor to sort out who is doing what towards actually starting.  The momentum is building...getting quite exciting now.

Next step - Sea Scouts Group Executive meeting next week and then further detailed discussions about various aspects of the contruction phase.  Meanwhile, the fundraising team are driving through a number of great ideas to help raise the remainder of the money we need.

If you want to contribute to the project in any way (money, materials, any other support), now would be a great time to get in touch!