YOUNGSTERS for an Erith Cub pack have succeeded in their ambition to raise more than £2,500 to buy a guide dog.

The boys from the 2nd Erith (Mowgli) pack, based in Northumberland Heath, put their imaginations to work to come up with all kinds of fundraising ideas, including guess the weight of the baby, dressing up as furry dogs, raffling a bike and running disco quiz nights.

Each of the boys also donated 25p from their pocket money, every week for a year, to the project.

To mark their achievement, the boys and their leader Derek Beaney were invited up to the House of Commons by local MP Nigel Beard, who presented a cheque for £2,544 to George Overy, chairman of Bexley Guide Dogs for the Blind, on their behalf.

Mr Overy presented the boys with a miniature of a guide dog.

Mr Beard said: "It is fantastic to witness the amount of energy these boys have put into a voluntary activity for such a worthwhile cause.

"I feel proud to be presenting their cheque. Well done, boys."

July 16, 2002 12:00