A SCOUT group has thanked the community for helping to replace the cash they needed to fix their hut roof – after the builder they paid for the job failed to carry out the work and refused to return the money.

Leaders at 1st Cam Scout Group say they paid a builder a deposit of over £2,800 to replace the roof on their hut in Everlands, after generating the money through fundraisers.

They said the builder was due to start the work in August but then pushed the job back to September.

When he still hadn’t done anything, the scout group became concerned and contacted the builder again but he stopped replying and has failed to return any of the deposit money.

“We paid a builder a deposit of over £2,800 to renovate the hut’s roof, this included the removal of asbestos,” group secretary Bev Williams said.

“We had been fundraising for several years to raise the money so we were devastated when the work did not take place.

“All we were given were excuses and then suddenly they just stopped replying to us.”

Now, nearly two months on, the work has finally started with a different company.

The Scouts group said they had requested their deposit back from the roofer but they have not received a penny yet.

Group Scout Leader Donna Cook said: “We were incredibly surprised, and humbled, by the level of support from everyone in the community, and further afield.

“We have 117 young people in the group, run purely by volunteers, and a duty of care to ensure the building we use for their activities is safe, warm and fit for purpose.

“All of the money we receive is from the parents and families of the young members or from the volunteer leaders, and members, running fundraising events or taking the time to write bids and apply for grants.

“Without the support of the community at this time we would be looking at another long winter in a hut with a failing roof.

“They have ensured we can get back on track with the much needed renovations for the hut. We have also had many offers of help of free labour and materials, and help on future works that will need to be done, from local companies and individuals, which we are extremely grateful for.

“There are not enough words to say how thankful we are for everything everyone has done for us.

“To everyone that has helped us out over the last few months, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We hope the young people we provide for will get the maximum benefit from everyone’s efforts.”

The fundraising page for the Scouts’ roof, established by former group leader Darren Young, has already had donations from nearly 80 people, raising around £3,000 for the group. Darren has also rejoined as chairman of the group.

See https://www.gofundme.com/f/1st-cam-scout-group to donate.