The Ruddington Village Community Partnership (RVCP) has awarded £2,000 to 1st Ruddington Scouts for new inclusive camping facilities, ensuring more young people can enjoy outdoor adventures all year round.
Through RVCP’s new Ruddington Community Fund, the Scouts have now replaced their 10 ageing tents and are using them for camping trips, helping to build young people’s confidence, independence, and life skills.
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The new grant scheme was made possible thanks to RVCP carefully saving £10,000 in pitch fee revenues generated over the past few years from Ruddington Village Market, held on the Village Green from 9am to 2pm on the first Saturday of every month from February to December.
The Ruddington Community Fund invited proposals for projects in Ruddington that met its funding aims, and eight projects were shortlisted by judges. RVCP hosted a Community Fund Voting Evening earlier this year, where over 200 Ruddington residents met the shortlisted organisations and voted for their favourite projects.
Mike Ader, Chair of RVCP said: “We wanted to give back to the community, so we set up the Ruddington Community Fund to offer individuals and local groups the chance to apply for a share of £10,000 raised from Ruddington Village Market.
“In total, we awarded grants to eight inspiring projects, and 1st Ruddington Scouts received one of the top awards of £2,000 for new inclusive tents that were in vital need of replacing.
“It’s wonderful to see how much the group is enjoying the new waterproof tents, especially during trips like the Cubs’ camping weekend at the Robin Hood Activity Centre earlier in 2025.
“We’re delighted this funding has made a real difference. The scouts do incredible work building important life skills and confidence among young people.
“Thank you to all the amazing market volunteers that have helped to make this happen. Everyone in the team gives their time for free, and the incredible volunteers that keep our events running means we’ve been able to protect the market’s revenue to give back to the community.”
Dan Clifford, Group Scout Leader for 1st Ruddington said: “Thank you to RVCP for the transformative donation, we are incredibly grateful.
“We have used the money to buy ten new tents. Our young people are very happy as they no longer need to use the heavy, dark, damp and drafty canvas tents we’ve been using for over 25 years!”
Gavin O’Connor, Group Scout Leader for 1st Ruddington added: “The scouts love the lightweight, airy and waterproof modern upgrade!
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us on the evening and to RVCP for offering the grant. We work hard to fundraise through the year, so this is such an amazing gift.”
Based at The Scout Hut, Ashworth Avenue in Ruddington, the group runs weekly sessions for Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and Explorer Scouts. They prepare young people with skills for life supported by volunteers that deliver inspiring programmes.
The Community Fund for Ruddington 2025 was proudly sponsored by Okarno Ltd.