A SCOUT group is offering a Christmas postal service around Ryedale to raise donations for a new Scout Hut.

The 1st Helmsley Scout Group are posting Christmas cards in Helmsley, Ampleforth, Sproxton, Oswaldkirk, Cold Kirkby, Old Byland, Scawton, Rievaulx and Hawnby after December 12.

Stamps are available for 20p each until December 18 at 3pm.

“It is such a shame during these times we will be unable to use the young people of the group to deliver the scout post,” said Fran Evans, 1st Helmsley Scout Leader.

“We are however grateful to a number of parents and adult volunteers who’ve stepped forward from the community to run the scout post, with money raised in aid of our new building project.

“With the small increase in volunteers it has made the opportunity available to expand our area to include Rievaulx, Hawnby, Old Byland, Scawton and Cold Kirby villages.”

This is the second year the scout group are doing Scout Post, with stamp sales available from Elijah Todd’s of Helmsley, Hearts of Ampleforth and members of the 1st Helmsley Scouts Group.

Cards must be fully addressed with surname, house name/number, street name and postcode.

Post boxes are available from various locations such as Elijah Todd’s, Helmsley Scout Hut, Hearts of Ampleforth, The Evans’ in Ampleforth, Wigham House in Oswaldkirk and 64 Bondgate in Helmsley.

Fran added: “We are extremely fortunate to have a dedicated fundraising team helping us organise and run these fundraising events.

“The building has served the Scouting community for more than 100 years and we have taken the bold move to rebuild our current.

“Age is catching up with it, so we would like to provide a new community hub for everyone within the Helmsley community.”

For more information, email fundraising.1sthelmsley@yahoo.com.

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/1sthelmsleyfundraising