North Swindon MP Welcomes Local Scouts To Community Office For Scout Post Sorting

In 1981 the Government announced that charities could deliver Christmas cards during the period November 25th to January 1st and make a small charge for this service. In the weeks that lead up to Christmas thousands of Scouts, Leaders, Parents and Committee Members take on the responsible job of delivering Christmas Card Post that has been stamped with Scout stamps and posted in Scout posting boxes.

This year, the North Swindon Scouts have been utilising the community space at Justin Tomlinson MP's office after transforming it into a sorting office for their Christmas post fundraiser. Each Scout group in Swindon (of which there are 14) raises just under £1000 through the Christmas post so it is a crucial way to raise funds for their activities throughout the year.

Scouts are the third section of the Scouting movement. From the first experimental camp for 20 boys in 1907, the movement now has an estimated 28 million members worldwide, and in the UK alone there are over 499,000 boys and girls involved in Scouting. An increase in adult volunteers means that more and more young people are now able to take part in their own big adventure.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It is really exciting to have the scouts sorting the post in my office and has helped us to all get into the festive spirit! I want to thank all of the local supermarkets and shops which have allowed the scouts to sell their stamps and make this project work. I hope that next year my office will be able to go one step further and sell the stamps ourselves to local residents who wish to support such a fantastic cause.”