The Scouts has raised £1.8m through a fundraising push to help save its local groups most at risk of closure.

This has included its #RaceRoundTheWorld appeal, which was launched last year to raise funds for its network of Scout groups impacted through financial losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This virtual appeal launched in November last year and urged Scouts and their families to take part in a sponsored run of a mile or more in their local area. It involved four teams of Scouts and family members racing each other to be the first to travel 43,000 miles collectively – the distance it takes to get around the world.

The sponsored run raised £350,000, exceeding its target by £50,000.

Further funding comes from £1m from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Pears Foundation through the government’s £750m charities aid package.

In addition, the Scouts ringfenced some of its membership fee income last year for its recovery funding.

The money will be allocated to the 10% of local Scout groups most in need.

We’re very pleased that £1.8m worth of funding is available for Scout Groups in need. Find out more: https://t.co/aiq6X9doW2.

A huge thanks to the @PearsFoundation and @DCMS who’ve contributed £1m to Scouts as part of the government’s £750m charity package #CommunitiesCan (1/2) pic.twitter.com/nmzZPMM4iL

— The Scouts (@UKScouting) January 11, 2021

“We know many Groups/Units have struggled to cover the fixed costs of keeping Scouts going locally, as it hasn’t been possible to run the usual local fundraising events,” said the Scouts.

Last year the charity announced plans to cut 100 posts, around 30% of its workforce to tackle income losses during the pandemic. It also announced plans to sell off part of its property portfolio.

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