20-11-03

Scout Post celebrates 20 years of success

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today announced his support for this year's Scout Post by allowing his constituency office to be used as one of the 250 drop off points.

Scout Post collections begin in Edinburgh from as early as 27th November. There are over 100 groups involved with a team of over 2,000 people helping to sort and deliver. The scheme is now in it's 20th year, with over 400,000 cards handled in 2002. The exercise raises almost £70,000 for the local charities.

With over 250 collection points in Edinburgh, Scout Post will deliver Christmas Cards to addresses in postcodes EH1 through to EH17 plus EH28, EH29 and EH30 at a cost of 16p each.

John Barrett MP will be sending almost 1,300 Christmas Cards through Scout Post and on Saturday, will be meeting Heather Barlow, Scout Post helper and a few of the 10th Haymarket Scouts who will be delivering cards over the coming weeks.

Commenting, John said:

"This is the third year that I have sent my cards by Scout Post and I am amazed at the scale and skill of the whole operation. I am pleased that my office can also be used as a collection point.  Hopefully, this will make a small contribution to what is a major money raiser for local charities."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

There will be a photo opportunity on Saturday , 22nd November at 1.00pm at the Douglas Brown Scout Hall, Corstorphine High Street, Edinburgh. This will include John Barrett MP and local Scouts, together with the House of Commons Christmas Card that John will issue this Christmas.

Contacts :  John Barrett, MP's office on 339 0339
                  Heather Barlow, 10th Haymarket Scoutpost co-ordinator , 334 9070