Fawley (October 16, 2006) -- The future of a Scout group is on firm ground again following a donation towards repairing structural subsidence on their hut.

The 3rd New Forest East Scout Group which includes Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers aged from six to 20 years, has received £750 towards the work from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley.

The group, which meets at the hut in Whitfield Road, Dibden Purlieu, were faced with finding a new meeting place or a large bill when ExxonMobil came to their aid. They also received a substantial donation from the Dibden Allotments Association.

The grant has been donated under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations. The scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

The recipient of the grant was Peter Pollock, who is an Explorer and a volunteer with the Scout group. His father Allan is a process design engineer at ExxonMobil Chemical. The group Scout leader and district commissioner Ted Brand, a retired ExxonMobil employee, said: “Scouting is all about having fun and learning some vital life-skills along the way. It enables both boys and girls to try a range of activities in a safe environment and often build a lifelong friendship with the scouting movement.”

Peter Pollock said: “I have been involved in scouting in Scotland, Belgium and now here, and it has been an important way of making new friends for me. I have been selected to take part in the Centenary World Scout Jamboree next year, when over 40,000 scouts from around the world will gather in Essex, and I am currently raising money towards this.”

Any youngsters wanting to join the Scout group, including girls, should contact Ted Brand on 023 8084 6865.

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme has so far contributed more than £100,000 to local community projects since it was started three years ago.