A fundraiser has been launched to save a girl guides cottage after severe damp damage has left it ‘uninhabitable.’
Girlguiding Cleveland has set up the fundraising page for its Egton House and Cottage, located in North Yorkshire, to help fund the repairs it needs.
The house can accommodate up to 25 people, while the cottage can house groups of up to 12 – and offer those from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity of a holiday.
The Egton property has served as a home to Girlguides for the past 53 years, and offers young members their first experience of the countryside.
Rachel Lee, training and event coordinator for Girlguiding Cleveland, said: “We have parents and grandparents dropping off girls who remember coming to Egton when they were in Brownies or Guides.
“For many of the young members who use our property it is their first experience of being in the countryside and many quote that they feel they are ‘miles away from home’.
“Many of the young members who walk through the doors of Egton experience their first time away from their families in a safe girl only space.
“Whilst at Egton the young members learn new skills; even things as simple as how to peel a potato or wash up.
“So many of the young members go home and excitedly tell their parents how they want to help do the washing up because they learnt how to do it at Egton.
“Many young members who have been to Egton always remember the happy times they have had there and are usually brought by a parent who fondly says they have had a Brownie/Guide holiday here at Egton. Many have fond memories of Egton and we would like to continue making those memories with our current and future members of Girlguiding Cleveland.”
Girlguiding Cleveland, is a small branch off the main Girlguiding UK charity and is made up of the areas of Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham, Redcar and Cleveland.
They added the cottage has a “severe damp problem” which has made the structure “uninhabitable.”
They also said they have been advised to remove all plaster from the downstairs room as well as the kitchen so that the damage can be treated.
Additionally, the contents of both rooms must be replaced, while a new kitchen must also be fitted.
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The group said some of their young members come from the most deprived areas in the North East.
They added children should be allowed to experience a normal childhood without any financial burden.
The fundraiser has so far raised £8,898 and has a target of £20,000. It can be found here.
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