PEEBLES Scout Group were the grateful beneficiaries of the carrier bag charge at The Castle Warehouse ahead of the official opening of their new home.

The proceeds of plastic carrier bag charges in the last six months have been put towards the group’s fundraising for the ongoing costs of their new hall.

A cheque for £162 was presented to the Group by Freddie Watts, who works at the store and is also a Young Leader with the Group, at a recent Cub meeting.

The Group have been meeting in their new hall since September last year, however fundraising remains important as the building was partly funded by a Scout Association loan which is currently being paid back.

The Group had been raising funds for the new facility for more than 15 years and were able to make the project a reality following several successful funding bids in the last couple of years.

A variety of local benefactors, as well as multiple anonymous donations, helped provide additional funds for the group.

Community support and fundraising, however, made up a huge part of the funds that were needed to make finance the move.

Susan Brown, Group Treasurer, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Peebles Community for the many years of support they have shown to our fundraising effort.

This contribution is further testament of that and we are very thankful to the staff and customers of The Castle Warehouse for their generous support.”

The new hall will be officially opened on May 11 in a ceremony with guests from the group and former members, as well as representatives from various organisations who have supported the fundraising.

The opening ceremony will be followed by an open-door event from 12-2pm where any member of the community can come and see the new facilities.