Posted: 04/03/2025
In September 2024 the 19th Askern Doncaster Scout Hut was left in ruins after vandals broke in and caused more than £30,000 of damage. This included ripping out copper piping and ceiling insulation, theft of heaters, tents, a flatpack kitchen, and ransacking the building before fleeing.
In an interview with ITV news, Matt Nicholls, Lead Volunteer of the 19th Askern Scouts, described the incident as “It felt like that was the end. A journey of 10 years of effort.”
But the local community refused to let that happen and businesses, tradespeople, and volunteers came together to repair the damage, with Doncaster College students playing a role in bringing the hut back to life.
Doncaster College painting and decorating students lend a helping hand
Students from Doncaster College’s Level 1 Certificate and Level 2 Apprenticeship in Painting and Decorating stepped up to help restore the building. Using paints that were kindly donated by Kelsey and David Hope at Brewers Doncaster, they repainted the interior of the Scout hut to give the space a fresh new look.
Before: The Doncaster Scout hut was found vandalised in September.
During: Painting and decorating students at work, applying their skills to restore the space.
After: A fully revitalised Scout hut, ready for use.
Hands-on learning with real community impact
Their hard work not only revitalised the hut but also gave them valuable real-world experience in their trade. By applying their skills to a real project, the students saw firsthand the impact of their work on the local community.
19th Askern Scout Lead Volunteer, Matt Nicholls, said “I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mark and the team at Doncaster College for their outstanding efforts in restoring the Scout Hut. Their hard work has truly brought the space into 2025, ensuring that our young people have a fresh, welcoming environment to enjoy for years to come.”
He continued “It’s been fantastic working with the College staff to make this happen and seeing the students’ dedication and craftsmanship has been inspiring. This project is a perfect example of the community coming together to support the next generation, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
The Doncaster Scout hut’s restoration was a true community-driven project and showcased the power of teamwork and generosity. The Scouts, who were once devastated by the vandalism can now look forward to using their hut again thanks to the support of Doncaster College students and local businesses.
Mark Adams, Doncaster College Lecturer, added, “It was a great pleasure to be involved in a community project like this. Living close to the area, this was sickening to see, and knowing how it affected the community. It was a great pleasure to lend a hand and all students involved were inspired and fantastically motivated by this project, and it was a pleasure to oversee it.”
Special thanks to key contributors
We’d like to give a special thanks to all those involved in this project, including Glen Galbraith, Mark Adams, Abbie Sturla-Manning, and Kelsey and David Hope at Brewers Doncaster. Your support has made a significant difference for the 19th Askern Scouts, and we wish them and Matt Nicholls all the best for the future.
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