CASH seized from criminals has been helping to boost North Wales community grass roots projects recently helping Anglesey scouts.
The Anglesey District Scouts (Scouts Môn) recently has benefited from £2,500 from the ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ funds.
In the eleven years since it started, the scheme has awarded some £600,000, to nearly 200 projects.
The fund is backed by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police and Community Trust and North Wales Police.
The cash comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act ,with the rest coming from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
This time, the money has helped improve toilet facilities at the Caeau Ty’n Talwrn district scout camp on the island.
It has also seen the purchase of hammocks, as well as tools and equipment for bushcraft to help in the maintenance of the camp.
The Anglesey scouts comprise of seven groups catering for young people aged from four to 18 years old.
The popular organisation currently has a growing membership of over 320, plus around 80 volunteers.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans, and North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) Chairman Ashley Rogers visited the campsite on Anglesey on Saturday, May 25.
There they learned about the scouts’ work and activities and saw how the money taken from criminals was being used for the good of the young people and to improve campsite facilities.
Annie Simmonite, Group Lead Volunteer at 1st Llanfairpwll Scouts of Ynys Môn Scouts, said: “Scouts Môn are delighted to have welcomed the visitors to our camp and to have received ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ funding once again.
“The funding is vital to us in our work to maintain and improve the facilities and environment at the Caeau Ty’n Talwrn campsite.
“In doing so we also teach young people both about the environment and how to look after it.”
Some of the money was used to purchase equipment to enable trained volunteers to teach bushccraft skills to young people.
It also enabled improvements of the sanitary facilities and to buy “much-needed” replacement tools to maintain the hedgerows, orchards and camping areas.
“Most importantly it allows even more children and young people to develop a respect for the environment and engage in adventurous activities outdoors.” She added.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: he always enjoyed visits to Ynys Môn Scouts and it had been “a pleasure” to visit the Talwrn camp ground.
“Both today, and during my previous two visits, I have seen how much the camp means to scouts on the island, and how it enables them to get even closer to nature and learn the value of spending time outdoors.
“As a former Scout myself, I know how much the organisation benefits young people and I thank all at Talwrn for their warm welcome.”
PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers added “I am delighted that we have been able once again to support Ynys Môn Scouts with Your Community, Your Choice funding.
“I am sure the District Campsite will continue to prove a valuable community resource into the future.”
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans said: “The ever-improving facilities at the Talwrn Campsite are a practical example of how ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ funds can be used for the good of the community and to enable young people to learn new activities, giving them lifelong skills that will be beneficial both in school and wider society.”
