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Scouts fast for market appeal

Faye Adams
30/ 6/2004

THERE will be no toasting marshmallows on the bonfire for one group of Tameside scouts fasting in aid of the Phoenix Fund.

Ashton Moss Explorer Scouts are going without food or water for 24 hours to raise cash for the fund set up after the Ashton Market Hall fire. The youngsters will be holding the fast at their scout hut on Knowle Avenue on Saturday, July 17.

They will go without food from Saturday morning and continue the exercise staying overnight at the hut, accompanied by two leaders who are also taking part.

Assistant district commissioner Paul Smith said: "They came up with the idea because the fire was obviously very devastating for the community and the scouts really felt it as well. We are hoping to raise as much money as we can and the scouts have been busy collecting sponsors."

Asked how he thought they would cope with the challenge he said they would keep occupied with computer games and ghost stories.

"And they will probably stock up on McDonalds on the way there and go straight back afterwards," he joked.

To sponsor the scouts email buggie97@yahoo.com or telephone 0161 343 8378.

Published 30 June 2004