SCOUTS in Lochgelly are doing their bit to fund a new roof for an Indian children's hospice.

Lochgelly's connection with Kolkata comes from Ross Stirling, who along with a fellow lecturer at Fife College in Kirkcaldy, Fiona McLeod, has done a lot to find support to fund improvements to the facility.

The member of the St Finnians Episcopal Church, in Lochgelly, followed eight representatives from the Diocese visiting Kolkata, for their 200th anniversary celebrations, on Facebook and it had an emotional effect on him. He asked the group when they returned how he could help and they suggested that the Arunima Hospice was in most need of assistance.

Said Ross: “The facility is dedicated to taking care of people, especially children, who are affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. Life is particularly hard for the children as they are not accepted by general society or welcomed in mainstream education.”

Ross, who helps with the 33rd Scouts in the town has found the youngsters delighted to help the fundraising efforts. The photo includes members of the 33rd who raised an amazing £650 towards the Arunima Children's Hospice in Kolkata.

Added Ross: "The funds are being used towards the replacement of the hospice roof, which currently leaks badly, especially during monsoon season.

"The Arunima Hospice in Kolkata is home to terminally ill children in India, which is helping to improve the lives of youngsters who have been either abandoned or orphaned and suffer from HIV and Aids".

He said the Lochgelly scouts had done superbly well to raise such a good amount of money.