After discovering that the local Girl Guides group were in urgent need of specialised equipment to  participate in the outdoor camping activities (an essential component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme), Priory Chapter 561 in Guisborough made a £250 donation to them.

As part of the Autumn Appeal 2022, this was matched with another £250 from our Provincial Grand Charity, and the Masonic Charitable Foundation donated a further £360. Thus, giving Guisborough Girl Guides a total of £860 masonic funding.

This allowed them to purchase lightweight tents, portable outdoor cooking stoves, hiking boots, and haversacks, thus increasing the number able to participate. The funding also allowed the Guides to purchase a set of four radios. Previously they had to borrow the radios, but they were not available for their recent expedition. The Guide Leader said that with the new radios they were able to maintain contact during remote supervision which was reassuring for the girls, parents and organisers especially when they are a girl-only group and quite young. This allowed the girls to stretch their boundaries, knowing they can easily contact a Leader, if needed.

The next group of Guides for the D of E are already signing up,  and at the May meeting of Priory Chapter additional funding was approved so that the Guides can purchase further weatherproof clothing and equipment.