ROTARIANS have come to the rescue of a scout group in Walney who desperately needed funds to refurbish the 100-year-old hall where they carry out their activities.

Barrow’s three Rotary clubs – Barrow, Furness and Furness Peninsula - came together to plough £1,500 into buying materials and a new safer vinyl floor covering for Knox Street Hall in Vickerstown, Walney.

This generous donation has allowed Walney Churches Scout Group to take part in more diverse activities and other groups who use the hall, such as the First Responders and the Casualty Union, to benefit from the transformed premises.

READ MORE: South Cumbrian cubs enjoy fun-filled adventure weekend to celebrate centenary

Organisations in Barrow and Ulverston and Millom can still win £1,000 in charity giveaway

Keith King, 72, from Barrow, has been involved with the Scouts since he was a schoolboy and has been Walney Churches Scout Group leader since it was formed in 2007.

He said: "The floor wasn't safe. It was about 100 years old and nearly about the same age as the building itself.

"They've helped us out a lot. Without that grant we would have been struggling to get it all done so I am very grateful.

"This hall is open to all members of the community and we hope that this refurbishment will encourage more people on Walney to get involved with it."

The grant that was given by the Rotary Foundation, which is the charitable wing of Rotary International, went towards a total of £7,500 which was raised through the Scout Group.

Along with relaying the floor, the money helped to refurbish the roof and the central heating system and to install a modern kitchen with new toilets.

David Sim, 70, who is chairman of the Barrow Rotary Foundation, has grandchildren who have benefited from growing up as a member of the Scouts.

He thought it was poignant that the grant was given on the joint centenary of the Scouts and the Rotary Foundation.

READ MORE: Scout groups enjoy increasing number of female recruits

South Cumbria Scouts fly to Japanese Jamboree

He said: "There are over 100 beavers, cubs and scouts that use these facilities every week and I believe it does help them to turn young children into responsible adults.

"We are so proud to have got involved and help out in this little way. We're hoping that this will be a three-year initiative so that we can donate more money over that time as a trio of rotary clubs in Barrow.

"The Rotarians do seem really great work across the country and as a local branch we are all volunteers.

"This means that all the money we make is put back into the community and it's so important that this goes towards helping the children of Barrow."