A WEE COUNTY scout group received a generous donation from the Co-op to help make their way to the international jamborette.

Tillicoultry Scout Group headed to Blair Atholl last month and were the recipient of two kind donations on the way.

The group took part in the 39th International Scout Jamborette, taking a squad of 18 kids from Tillicoultry and Clackmannan to the get together.

To cover costs, the group received donations from both the Co-op and the Tillicoultry Community Council.

Speaking to the Advertiser, scout leader Scott Robertson paid thanks to the groups for their donations, helping to contribute to a “great experience” for the kids.

He said: “We were very fortunate because we got some money from the Co-op and Tillicoultry Community Council as well.

“It’s not cheap to get to and we then need to think of transport and hiring a van for all our kit.

“There’s a lot involved in it that people might not think of, we have to go in kilts because it’s an international jamborette.

“It worked out really well and we’re very grateful to the Co-op and the Tillicoultry Community Council for their help.

“It’s a great experience for them and it helps broaden their minds for what they can do.”

As part of their trip, the group got to mingle with kids all over the world – in particular Texas, Germany and Norway.

The 18-strong group departed Stirling on the Friday, returning on Monday as part of a smaller camp due to their age.

Scott went on: “Because of their age, they went up on the Friday and came back on the Monday – this was just a taster session for the Scouts to see what it was like to go to the Jamborette and meet kids from all around the world.

“We travelled by train from Stirling to Blair Atholl and then we camped for three nights and four days and they took part in an international campfire alongside the thousands of scouts that were there.

“They had a barbecue and all the leaders from around the world did the cooking.

“We were allocated to mini camps so that the kids could interact with other kids from all around the world so we got to mingle with kids from Texas, Germany and Norway.”

This donation from the Co-op proved to be the last that the supermarket would provide in its current format.

Irene McCusker, member pioneer with the Co-op, had served as the community and member participation representative for the area for a number of years.

Following changes at the Co-op, Irene was made redundant, closing the door on years of benefitting community causes in Clackmannanshire.

She said: “There was about 900 of us employed through the Member Pioneer Programme and we got to know the community groups because we’re living in or very close to that community.

“I think it worked the way it was and I built up good relationships with the community causes.

“It was quite sad to contact them and let them know but life moves forward.”