Ottery Guides' biscuit fundraiser

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
18 November 2009

SPECIAL packs of fundraising biscuits will be sold by Ottery St Mary Guides at Saturday's Community Market.

Inspired by America's Girl Scout cookies, and produced by Furniss of Cornwall, more than 5,000 members of Girlguiding South West England have joined forces to raise money for the charity.

Packs cost £2.50 and profits will be split between individual units selling them and Girlguiding South West England.

The unique biscuits first appeared at the October market when four girls sold 34 boxes and raised £85.

The Ottery unit is supporting Ottery in Bloom, which is taking the Girlguiding centenary as its theme in 2010, as well as helping one of its members with the costs for an international trip to Italy as part of the centenary celebrations.

Eve Townson, a guide leader, said: "Girlguiding is about giving today's girls relevant opportunities and experiences, and we want to ensure that cost is never a bar to participating fully in what Girlguiding has to offer.

"We are delighted to be working with Furniss on this unique project that enables local units like Ottery to raise money, allows the girls themselves to decide how to spend it and helps every member join in celebrating our centenary."

Phoebe, 11, Maddie, 12, Rebecca, 13 and Alison, 15, four of the 35 guides in Ottery St Mary unit, were the first to man the biscuit stall at the market.

They said: "The biscuits were a great success at the first Ottery community market in October and we hope their popularity will grow so that we can raise even more money at the next two markets."

They will also be selling the biscuits at the market on Saturday, December 12.

The Girlguiding Centenary ends in October 2010 and events to celebrate 100 years of guiding include community projects, a huge centenary camp and charity challenges.