Duchess joins Sea Scouts as they launch £1million campaign to build a new community hub for West Sussex village

The 3rd / 5th Lancing Sea Scout Group, which operates the Supeta Community Sailing Project for young people in West Sussex, needs to replace the World War One army hut where it is currently based.

The duchess joined young people and their leaders on board the yacht in Shoreham Harbour on Saturday, October 31. In her role as president of the South and Mid Sussex branch of the children's charity NSPCC, she was invited to join Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs on a sail within the harbour, accompanied by Scout RIBs, before being taken through the locks with the Scouts and out to sea.

Charlotte Street, chair of trustees and Squirrels leader, said: “We were very grateful to have Georgina, Duchess of Norfolk, here with us to hear more about the wonderful work that we do as a group and also to help us raise our profile to help us raise the money that we desperately need.”

Supeta offers young people a life-enhancing adventure of sailing on board an ocean-going yacht. Visitors on Saturday were able to have a look around to learn more.

The Royal Navy affiliated charity also announced the start of its fundraising campaign to replace its former Shoreham army barracks hut, which at 112 years old has far outlived its 15-year lifespan.

Charlotte said: “We are raising money to be able to build a new headquarters for us. Our current headquarters was originally a World War One barracks and it's just no longer fit for purpose.

“It needs to have extensive work done on it in order to maintain and be able to use it for our young people. We need to raise up to a million pounds in order to build a new HQ, which can be a community hub as well as create amazing opportunities for our current young people and hopefully build our group to even bigger numbers as well.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/new-community-scout-hq-3rd5th-lancing-sea-scout-group to make a donation and to find out more about the campaign.

Trustee Owen Thomas said: “We offer young people from all backgrounds aged four to 14 years old the opportunity to develop, learn skills for life and make a positive contribution to their community.

“In order to continue offering life-shaping experiences, as well as open more spaces for young people to join, and offer an accessible space for the wider community to gather, it is essential that we build a new headquarters fit for many futures to come.

“For generations, 3rd/5th Lancing Sea Scout Group has helped young people across Lancing and the surrounding community grow in confidence, learn practical skills, challenge themselves and make friendships that last a lifetime.

“Now, we have an exciting opportunity to secure the future of our group for generations to come. Our vision is to create a modern, accessible and sustainable home for our young people, volunteers and the wider community — a place where young people can learn, explore, lead and thrive.”

The 3rd Lancing and 5th Lancing Scout groups merged in the early 1980s and the numbers, community impact and variety of opportunities on offer has grown since then, but the headquarters, in Manor Road. Lancing, has not kept pace.

Owen said: “Our current site is now in a poor state, with essential maintenance being completed regularly in order for it to remain safe to use. This limits what we can offer young people and how many people we can support. We want to create a facility that reflects the ambitions of our young people and provides the space, equipment and facilities needed for a modern Sea Scout Group.”

The new headquarters would include flexible community spaces, improved storage, activity areas, kitchen and welfare facilities, and accessible facilities for everyone.

Owen said: “This won't just be a building for Scouting. It will be a community hub. Our vision is for the new HQ to be used by local community organisations, families, volunteers and other groups, creating a valuable community asset for Lancing and the surrounding area.

“Building a new HQ is an ambitious project, and £1 million is a huge target for a volunteer-led charity. But we believe that ambitious projects require ambitious action. Every donation, no matter how large or small, will bring us one step closer to making this vision a reality.”