PART of the promise made by Girl Guides is to be active citizens in their community and to help others.

That vow was honoured by a group of Peebles Guide leaders who have raised £2,630 to help their local foodbank nourish struggling families.

Since the lockdown, the leaders of 3rd Peebles Guides have been catching up over a group video call once a week.

No strangers to fundraising for local causes, the leaders decided the community needed their help now more than ever.

Loryn Paterson told us: “We believed that the Peeblesshire Foodbank might begin to struggle as there would be fewer shoppers able to drop supplies into the boxes at the shops, and also because of the restrictions which limits the number of certain items that you can purchase.

“We also felt that we needed to help families that may have lost their jobs, people whose children are entitled to free school meals, and just generally those who are in need.”

The Guiders launched a JustGiving page with a target of raising £200 for the foodbank – but little did they know there would be another digit added to that figure.

Ms Paterson said: “Between the six leaders we began to share the page on Facebook and it was instantly a hit.

"We are truly overwhelmed that we smashed our target and have made well over £2,000.

"We cannot thank the people of Peeblesshire enough for their generosity, kindness, and support."

District Commissioner Margot Swanston has been shopping for the foodbank on a weekly basis with the money raised.

The Guiding Association says it is working hard to keep the guiding light alive during these dark times, and that is embodied by these big-hearted ladies who say they “love giving to the community of Peebles".

The JustGiving page is still open for donations here.