[This si email correspndence between Annette and Ian – actual bid at the end].
Annette,
Thank you.
Great if you could check please.
I thought the project would enhance University/community relations and the involvement of some university staff in the Scout Group also covered the extracurricular point.
As a Trustee myself I know it is of course for the Trustees to ensure grants are consistent with the mission.
Thanks again
Ian
From: The Friends UoR <vrs02mt@reading.ac.uk>Sent: 31 March 2023 16:37To: Ian Aitken <ianaitken0409@gmail.com>Subject: Re: Project Funding from Friends of Reading University
Thanks for contacting us.
Sadly I think the project does not meet the charity’s object of supporting the University but I will of course check with the trustees.
Annette (Haworth)
From: Ian Aitken <ianaitken0409@gmail.com>Sent: 31 March 2023 13:30To: The Friends UoR <vrs02mt@reading.ac.uk>Subject: Project Funding from Friends of Reading University
Good afternoon,
I am writing to seek some project funding for 1st Lower Earley Scout Group.
We meet at Hillside School in Lower Earley and at the Earley Crescent Centre.
We have experienced significant growth in the last few years and have more than 160 young members from around the Earley and Lower Earley community, supported by around 40 adult volunteers. A number of people involved in or supporting the Scout Group work within the University.
The Scout Group comprises 2 Beaver Scout Colonies, 3 Cub Scout Packs and 2 Scout Troops. One of our Cub Scout Packs was recently established to make Scouting as accessible as possible to the Muslim community. The new Pack delivers Scouting in a Muslim setting and represents a significant extension of Scouting in to an under represented demographic. The third Pack is just the start and there are plans to further increase our community reach in the coming months and years with more new units.
The growth we have experienced has presented us with the challenge of equipping ourselves to provide outdoor activities and in particular overnight camping. This is a key part of Scouting and as part of our community building mission we hold an annual family camp for the whole Scout Group. This activity and other larger events during the year mean there is a great demand for tentage.
We have been increasing the tentage we have available but need to obtain more, in readiness for our family camp in July.
The sort of equipment we have been looking at purchasing is 4/6 person tents which can generally be obtained for around £200.00. In order to make a significant addition to our capacity we are seeking £1200.00 to purchase 6 tents.
It would be fantastic if funding could be provided please for these purchases.
Please do let me know if any further information is required to support this request.
Many thanks
Ian Aitken
Chair of Trustees – 1st Lower Earley Scout Group