The 7th Mayo Foxford Scouts contributed to their community, by volunteering to help out at the annual 10k and 5k charity run in our town of Foxford. Martin Boyle was a very popular and energetic 26 year old, who tragically lost his life in a car accident a short distance from his home in 2009. His family and friends organise a 5km run in his memory each year, with all proceeds going to local charities. The 'Run for Boylo' as it is known, was held on Sunday April 27th 2014, and Foxford Scouts were on hand to help out in a variety of ways. Firstly, we met with the family a few days before to see in what way we could be of most help. The Beavers were really eager to help out at the water stations, while some of the Beavers and Cubs wanted to actually run in the 2km Children's race, so it was all planned in advance with the Scouts themselves having an input into what they would most like to do. The day of the run was a really lovely sunny and warm day, so our Scouts and their leaders met up at the various water stations along the route (pictured above), it was great fun to run alongside the athletes. It proved more strenuous than we thought with the weather being really warm, and at the end of the day the Scouts themselves were almost as exhausted as the athletes!! Six of our Scouts (pictured above) took part in the 2km children`s race, this was a great fun challenge for them all, and they completed the race and made it back in record time, to cheers from the crowd and bottles of well-deserved water from their fellow Scouts! We had all our Scouts doing a litter pick around the areas of the water stations and along the route, so the principles of 'Leave no Trace' were firmly adhered to, much to the appreciation of the run organisers. The Boyle family also kindly had refreshments afterwards for all participants of the run, with some of our parents also contributing with sandwiches and cakes. We were all invited to refreshments afterwards and the Boyle family made sure all scouts were looked after. Each and every Scout even received a medal on the day for their efforts which meant so much to everyone. All in all it was a fantastic day. The weather was lovely, so many people turned out to partake in the run and to cheer on the athletes. It was a huge success for the Boyle family and the local community, and our scouts experienced a great sense of achievement and fun! By giving us the opportunity to partake and help out with the run the Boyle family are doing us as a Scout group a huge honour to be part of their personal experience in remembering Martin, but also to be able to give something back and to have our small efforts appreciated in such a meaningful way. We very kindly received a donation from the Boyle Family (pictured above), which we are putting towards buying a new dining tent for the group, which we will proudly call “ The Boylo Tent”. All scouts and their leaders are aware of and appreciate the kindness of the Boyle family, the concept of giving something back, and the sense of community spirit, when we are sheltering from the rain and wind on our next campout! And finally, we could not think of anyone more fitting to award our Special Interest Community Badges than members of the Boyle family who attended our Investiture and badge awarding night recently in the Den. Our Scouts proudly accepted their Badges (pictured above), from a family who have made an outstanding difference to the local community and who in every sense of the word, deserve the recognition that this very award personifies. “The Run for Boylo" and “Community Spirit” go hand in hand! We are already looking forward to next years event on Sunday 26th April 2015, now where are my runners!!!