Gainsborough NCS students are all model citizens

NCS is a flagship Government initiative that provides young people aged 16 and 17 the chance to take on new challenges, experience exciting activities, make long-lasting friendships, and develop vital skills that will support them later in life.

From the Sea Scouts’ base at Love Lane in Gainsborough, the students planned and organised a coffee morning and a pop-up cafe which local residents, family and friends all supported.

There were plenty of homemade cakes and tombola prizes donated by well-wishers and local retailers, including Browns, Boots, The Ship Inn, B&M and Avon.

Extra funds were also raised from donation boxes placed in local shops, a bake sale in Marshalls Yard and a bric-a-brac stall in the Market Square where, afterwards, the enterprising youngsters donated all the unsold items directly to the Age UK shop.

The students also found the time and energy to walk 21 miles around Gainsborough and Morton leafleting and collecting newspapers for the scouts’ recycling scheme.

Heather Brewster, one of the students involved, said: “NCS was an amazing experience from start to finish.

“I enjoyed all the outdoor activities in week one,  my time at Nottingham University campus in week two and all the fundraising challenges in the last two weeks back in Gainsborough.”

Parent Jacqui Brewster also agreed that it was four weeks very well spent.

She said: “I am so impressed at how hard this group of youngsters worked as a team, both during the days and in the evenings – there was a lot of baking done.”

Dr Zyg Evershed, chairman of 6th Gainsborough Sea Scouts committee, also praised the graduates for all their hard work and thanked them on behalf of all the

other charities for the donated funds.

“He said: We have hosted three NCS groups over this Summer, our meeting room and kitchen have both been decorated and work has also been carried out for parish church, parish school and X church.

“The total combined sum raised for local Gainsborough charities this year is a staggering £1295.07,

“This has been made possible by local people, stores and businesses donating prizes and supporting collections and everyone has been very grateful for their generous support.”

Phil Everett from EM1, the regional NCS provider, added: “It’s been an incredible summer, with our Lincolnshire teens showing a huge amount of passion, dedication and determination in supporting their local community and making a difference.”

Places for the autumn NCS programme, which begins in October, are now available.

To sign up, visit www.ncsem1.org.uk or call 01522 574101.

If you have any ideas or suggestions for an NCS project for this October, or next summer, please contact Cheryl Barrows on 01522 574133 or email [email protected]