AN APPEAL for volunteers has been launched by Girlguiding East Lothian.

The charity, which provides opportunities for girls to develop life skills and have adventures, is actively seeking “local heroes” to support online guiding and a return to face-to-face guiding in the long term.

Volunteers from across East Lothian are welcome.

Anyone can get involved in guiding, whether or not they’ve previously been a member, and with a variety of roles to choose from, people can give the time that suits them.

As guiding groups adapt to the new coronavirus restrictions, the charity’s volunteers are committed to delivering guiding in new ways so that they can continue to empower girls and young women.

Many groups continue to meet online, following a move to virtual guiding after face-to-face meetings were suspended during lockdown.

Determined to carry on guiding during this challenging time, guiding groups such as the 2nd Musselburgh Rainbow Unit continue to stay connected through weekly online meetings and virtual sleepovers.

Girlguiding East Lothian held a competition to design a winter virtual camp badge, with the winning design by Niamh Jamieson, aged five, being made into a real badge.

Isla Robertson, also aged five, took part in a sponsored silence and raised more than £300 for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.

Isla said: “I really wanted to help the children in the hospital so that the money could help them feel a little better.

“It was hard staying quiet but I was so proud of myself and everyone for donating.”

Her father Adam Robertson added his thanks to the volunteers who had kept guiding going over lockdown, saying: “The team did an amazing job at keeping Zoom meetings going and a little bit of normality through an increasingly difficult and confusing time for all, especially for the kids.

“The Rainbow unit is really is to be commended on this. I can wholeheartedly say that Isla really benefitted from this and I thank the leaders for all they have done.”

Zoe Bonthron, leader of 9th Musselburgh Brownies and District Commissioner for Girlguiding Musselburgh, said: “I love being part of the guiding family, working alongside many dedicated volunteers.

“It’s fun, challenging and very rewarding to empower and inspire girls and young women to reach their potential and to make a positive impact on the world.

“As a leader, whether online or in person, we get to take part in a variety of activities with girls that help to build skills for life.”

The 2nd Musselburgh Rainbows look forward to celebrating the unit’s 30th birthday this year and are planning a picnic on June 22 to mark the occasion.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or who knows a girl who would like to join guiding can visit girlguidingscotland.org.uk/get-involved