VICTORIA Institution’s boy scouts will hold a centenary celebration with campfire for parents on July 17 and a fundraising dinner in Kuala Lumpur on July 31.
The oldest scout troop in the Klang Valley, which was formed in 1910, is appealing to its old members to come forward and contribute to the construction of a new scout den in the school compound.
Leading the fundraising event is former scout Zaharuddin Zabri who said the boy scouts were in dire need of a facility since their old den was burned down in a fire a few years ago.
He said the dinner would be held at the Park Royal Hotel in Bukit Bintang where a large turnout of former scouts and parents was expected.
Hard at work: The scouts preparing for the campfire by putting their woodcraft skills to the test.“Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohd Yasin, who was a former boy scout at VI, has agreed to be our patron for the dinner and we hope to raise about RM150,000 for the new scout den,” he said.
Zaharuddin added that a committee has been formed to oversee the centenary celebration which is expected to last until the end of this year.
He said proceeds from the dinner would be chanelled into a trust fund for the construction of the scout den.
“RM150,000, in terms of costs, is a conservative estimate. This does not include furnishings and new camping equipment for the boys.”
Zaharuddin said most of the basic implements belonging to the two scout troops in the school were lost in the fire.
Speaking on the students’ involvement in the celebrations, the scout group’s teacher adviser P. Shanti said a parents’ campfire would take place at the school on July 17.
She said members from both scout troops have been working hard to deliver their part.
“The boys will be performing for a big crowd comprising their fellow scouts, girl guides, parents, teachers and former scouts from VI,” Shanti said.
Shanti added that some 120 schools from around the Klang Valley have been invited to attend the event.
“The opening act will be a daring rescue stunt followed by a dance performance and a sketch by the boy scouts and the senior troop members.”
In their efforts to help raise funds for a new scout den, the boy scouts will also be selling dinner tickets to those attending the event.
For details on the campfire and fundraising dinner, visit viscc.blogspot.com or victoriascoutgroup-2ndkl.blogspot.com.
