LOCAL Scouts have rarely been able to meet over the past year – but that has not stopped them from running charity events online.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts have joined forces with the city's Rotary Club to raise money for Winchester Hospice.

Each young person has been set the challenge to design a fundraiser to raise at least £30.

On completion, they will be awarded the Hospice Challenge badge, unique to the district.

A Winchester Rotary spokesperson said: "With lockdown, the project has been slow to take off but two local Scout Groups in particular, the 3rd and 6th Winchester, have embraced the project.

"One Scout – Danny Horgan of the 3rd Winchester – has really taken to the project. Danny has raised over £860 towards the scheme."

Danny’s mother, Anna Horgan, added: "I don’t think any of us, including Danny himself, realised he would raise so much money, and we are delighted that this helped such a great local cause, and want to say a huge thank you to all the generous donors.

"The motivation came from a Scouts meeting raising the local need, and was a perfect opportunity with half term coming up.”

Danny cycled 100km over the nine days of half term. He took this at 10km a day and increased this to 15km on two separate days.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Danny, using his personal time to find a way to raise money for the benefit of the community," added Ms Horgan.

"He was super motivated and got up early every day over half term, so that his cycling task was out of the way first thing. Well done Danny and thanks to everyone for all the support he received."

Danny’s Scout Group Leader Christine Cook said: “I'm really impressed with what the Scouts have achieved so far - we had a short discussion at a Zoom Scout meeting and then they have come up with some really varied ideas, and done all the work themselves to raise money for the hospice.

"The Scout promise includes the words 'do my best....to help others', and these Scouts have really lived up to that.”

So far, more than £3,000 has been raised by the two groups. It is hoped that the other eight groups within Winchester will embrace the scheme as the lockdown relaxes.