A HOMEBUILDER has donated £1,000 to Scouts as part of a series of community awards to good causes in the area.

The cheque was handed to the 1st Tackley and Heyford Scouts by Barwood Homes at a special activity day and barbecue marking the Scouts’ 35th anniversary last month.

Barwood – which is building a development in Tackley called Cherwell Rise – opened its community awards in April and said it received over 16 applications from a variety of groups.

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The Scouts, who meet at Tackley Village Hall every Wednesday, were eventually chosen as overall winners, but Barwood said it panned to 'further engage' with other nominees this year.

While meeting over 50 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and their families and friends, Barwood Homes’ development director, Luke Simmons, made the £1,000 cheque presentation to Group Scout Leader Rob Marshall.

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Mr Marshall said: “We’re thrilled to receive this grant and hope to use the money towards an indoor skydiving day, or attending a large outdoor scouting event that the whole group can be part of.

“This kind of support is invaluable in helping us get children active and outdoors.”

The Scouts meet to socialise and learn new skills such as camping, fire lighting, survival and outdoor cooking as well as more adventurous challenges like abseiling, axe throwing, zorbing and canoeing.

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Mr Marshall added: “We’re hopeful that Barwood Homes’ latest development will also mean new families moving into the village bringing young people to the group and more volunteer helpers who will keep the group running for the next 35 years.”

Luke Simmons, from Barwood Homes, said it is important to support the local community as more homes get built in and around Bicester.

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He said: “As well as having built 35 new homes for families in Tackley, we believe it’s very important to invest in the development of a thriving local community.

“The 1st Tackley & Heyford Scouts are an outstanding example of how children aged six to 14 years old can enjoy learning new skills and socialise with friends in a safe and supportive environment.”