The Institute of Commercial Management has made a substantial donation to the 38th Bournemouth Scouts & Avon Explorers to support their trip to Uganda in 2010.

One of the biggest expeditions planned of any scout group in the town so far, the Nile 2010 trip to the south town of Jinja in Uganda will be made by more than 30 youngsters from the group based in Winton and Iford.

The scouts will undertake youth work with Ugandan children, will camp with the Ugandan Scout Association and work on local development projects – including the building of a vocational training centre with the help of a brick-building machine.

The Stabilised Compressed Earth Block Machine uses basic materials readily available in a country such as Uganda to create strong interlocking terracotta blocks – and is able to produce up to 400 bricks an hour.

ICM has donated money to fund the indispensable machine – which accounts for around a quarter of the total money needed for the trip.

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Once built, the centre will help Ugandan street children – many of whom have been orphaned by war or HIV/AIDS – who will also be trained on how to use the brick-building machine, and may also be a central point that allows the community access to clean drinking water.

For the expedition to happen, every scout has to raise a total of £2,500 each through sponsored events to help contribute to the total £100,000 that needs to be raised.

Mike Harley, the Group’s scout leader and organiser of the expedition, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the kind offer from ICM to fund the brick-making machine. It is a huge leap forward in our fundraising for which we are all most grateful”.

Dr Alistair Somerville Ford, ICM’s Chairman, said: “I was more than willing to donate to the 38th Bournemouth Scout Group’s trip. It’s such a worthwhile expedition and will contribute so much to the local community within Jinja. And, rather than being a short-term fix, the actions of the scouts will leave a lasting legacy that will enable and empower Ugandans to build a real future for themselves.”

Fundraising activities by the scouts this year have included selling programmes at the Bournemouth Air Festival and litter picking at an outdoor Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) concert. Along with other activities, the scouts have already raised £14,000 since they started their quest in April this year.

Lots more money-making events are planned before Christmas including packing shoppers’ bags at Sainsbury’s in Castlepoint and a fete at the end of November.

For further information about Nile 2010, visit: www.nile2010.co.uk

By Heidi Lees-Bell