WYRE Forest Scout groups have raised more than £13,000 over the Christmas period which will go towards their activities in 2013.

Kidderminster District and Severn and Teme District Scout Associations collected £13,807.90 during the holiday season from supermarket bag packing.

Monies will help groups in their general scouting activities during the year and a contingent of Cub Scouts were raising cash for a camping trip in 2013 to Gilwell Park in Essex.

Some Scouts and Explorer Scouts raised funds for a jamboree camp in Kent which will take place later this year (2013).

Cub Scout Eliza Curzon, of KD21 Air Scout, Cub and Beaver group, said: “I enjoyed the bag packing, talking too the shoppers and doing something different in the community.”

District bag packing coordinator Mark Searl said: “The young people love the interaction and seemingly the Wyre Forest public warmed to them having their bags packed.

“Many thanks for all the kind comments with the leaders, boys and girls thoroughly enjoying this interaction with the local community.

“A special thanks to Morrisons and Sainsbury’s for, as usual, giving us excellent assistance and we hope everyone has benefited from the activities.”