Donations move Guides closer to saving long-standing home

Melksham Girlguiding groups are a step closer to saving their long-standing home near King George V Park after receiving substantial donations from two local residents.

The group, which meets in a Guide Hut off Bath Road, has received donations totalling £14,500. The funds will go towards repairing the building, which faces serious issues including a leaking roof.

Last year, the group launched a campaign to raise £25,000 and has been running events including a bingo night, a chocolate auction, a raffle and more. The fundraising drive, which is helping the girls learn new skills, will also see them rewarded with new badges.

Chair of Melksham Girl Guides, Karen Dwyer, who has been a volunteer for nearly 50 years, said, “We’ve had some very generous donations recently which we are extremely grateful for. This has helped push us closer to our target. We have lots of fundraising events planned and hope people can join us. We would also like to thank everyone who has helped us so far, from buying a raffle ticket, attending an event, donating a prize or running a stall, and of course our team of volunteers who organise these events — without them we wouldn’t have got this far into our fundraising.”

Over 100 local girls in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers use the building, which also supports other community groups, including Slimming World and Melksham Ukulele Club.

The group initially aimed to raise £40,000. However, they have since found a repairs firm which has significantly reduced the cost, making the target far more achievable.

Pictured: Guides outside the Guide hut near King George V Park