Darwen MP's drive to boost town's stricken girl guiding groups (From This Is Lancashire)

Darwen MP's drive to boost town's stricken girl guiding groups

6:20pm Thursday 12th November 2009

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By David Watkinson »

JANET Anderson has urged people to get involved in the Girlguiding movement in Darwen amid fears that units are under threat because of a lack of leaders.

The town’s MP has been made an ambassador for the 23 units that remain in a bid to save any more from closure.

Eileen Walsh, the area commissioner for Darwen, said that seven Guides units have closed in recent months, including First St George’s which had been running for over 90 years.

There are more than 500 girls in the town that are members of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides groups.

Mrs Anderson said that as a former Brownie and Guide she was keen to take on the role.

She said: “It was the AGM in Darwen earlier this week and I was asked to take on an ambassadorial role.

“The Girl Guides are very popular in Darwen but more units face closure because of a lack of adult leaders. I hope to raise the profile of the issue and encourage more people to get involved.”

Nationally Girlguiding celebrated its centenary in September.

Mrs Walsh, 61, who has been involved in Guide leadership for more than 41 years, said becoming a leader was a very rewarding experience.

She said: “We are asking for people to make a commitment to save these units and help them to thrive.

“I have been doing it for a very long time and it is a very rewarding role.

“The Girl Guides are more relevant than ever and the units are all very popular. We are a modern organisation that offers a lot to girls but we are worried that we do not have enough adult leaders.”

Leaders would be expected to give up around four or five hours of their time each week and complete leadership and first aid courses.

For more information call Mrs Walsh on 01254 705455.

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