SOUTH ZEAL Scouts who spend 'a Night in Box' to raise funds for improvements to their scout hut and to help the homeless were thanked for their kind-hearted efforts.

The scouts last week presented a £100 cheque to Major David Coates, of the Salvation Army, to put towards providing Sunday lunches for their clients at its homeless shelter in Exeter.

Major Coates gave a talk to the scouts, aged from ten and a half to 14, about the work the Salvation Army does for the homeless and homeless issues.

Back in March the scouts from the 1st South Zeal Scout Group spent the night sleeping in cardboard box structures in order to raise awareness of the hardships that some homeless have to endure.

Nicki Glanville, their scout leader who runs the troop with husband David, said: 'It was a very good effort and they certainly had a lot of fun doing it. Homelessness is a subject that many people feel uncomfortable with and by doing this "Night in a Box" it certainly raised their awareness.

"They also asked Major Coates a lot of questions on the subject, which I was very impressed with.'

The 1st South Zeal beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers are all busy trying to raise funds in different ways for urgent repairs and much needed improvements to the Scout headquarters in South Tawton.

The sum of £100 was also raised towards the 1st South Zeal Scout Hut Appeal by the same event.

Funds are also required for new Scouting equipment and activities. If anyone can help or would like to make a donation, please contact Bagheera or Skip on 01837 840574.