Canoeing Cubs are after our cash!

Young canoeists The Cubs and Scouts at their church base

YOUNGSTERS in Marsden are anxious to take to the water.

But they need your help.

The 40 or so young people who make up the 14th Huddersfield (Marsden) Scout Group are mad keen on canoeing.

The sessions on Redbrook Reservoir above the village are very popular.

But the current craft and equipment are well past their best, so a fundraising drive has started to replace them.

And Scout officials hope they can count on the Examiner Community Chest to help.

Group spokesman Mrs Jan Lister said: "It is a very popular activity, especially with the young Cub Scouts.

"The boys and girls go to Redbrook every other week and they have a great time learning skills on the water.

"My husband, Andrew, who is Venture Scout leader, runs the courses.

"We also have other leaders going through training courses to help.

"The youngsters need to be aged eight or over and to be able to swim - but they love canoeing.

"It keep them fit and active and is another way of keeping them off the street corners."

The canoeing equipment is stored at the group's base at Marsden United Church.

Most of the youngsters are from Marsden, but some live in Slaithwaite.

Mrs Lister said: "The pounds 1,500 would go a very long way towards helping us buy at least two new canoes and the safety equipment we need.

"We are also doing our own fundraising.

"We have completed a very long sponsored walk, in the cold and wet, to get us off to a good start."