Vehicle wash helps fund London trip
A GROUP of youngsters attending the Trooping of the Colour in London have washed a number of the AJ Engineering vehicles in exchange for some financial support towards their trip.
Six youngsters from the 2nd Forres Boys’ Brigade cleaned a fleet of vans as a thank you for a donation towards their visit which will take place in June.
The group received an invitation to attend the Parade which takes place in the presence of His Majesty The King on June 8, but with the trip costing £3,000, they reached out to local businesses for sponsorship and support.
Graeme Ferguson, Moray Battalion president and captain of the 2nd Forres Boys’ Brigade which is this year celebrating 10 years, said: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed with the support that we have received. We have been very lucky. In our 10-year history, this is the first time we have had to do any formal fundraising like this, and the local community and businesses have been so supportive.”
He added: “We approached AJ Engineering and it was suggested that the boys could do a bit of graft in exchange for a donation and they were more than happy to oblige. We cannot thank them enough.”
Graeme, who was integral in setting up the group which is now attended by 30 youngsters with the numbers growing, added: “We are really looking forward to the trip to London. The Boys’ Brigade have a stand there and we were invited to put our name in the ballot to attend and were successful.
“As well as attending the Trooping of the Colour, we hope to have a bit of down time too and organise maybe an open top bus ride, but it’s a flying visit so we will be cramming it all in.”
The lads attended the AJ Engineering HQ on Saturday, April 13 under the watchful eye of Graham Alexander.
Graham said: “It was great to welcome the boys to our yard and to put them to work in exchange for a donation for their trip. This sounds like a worthwhile trip and AJ Engineering is pleased to help towards the cost. It was great to hear how excited the youngsters are about the visit and it’s always nice to see a group with a good work ethic.
“The boys worked hard and did a great job of cleaning some of our fleet. I can report that the employees who use the vehicles, were very pleased when they returned to work at the start of the week.”
The Boys’ Brigade organisation as a whole, is celebrating 140 years. Last month, the group took part in a national baton handover to mark the occasion.
They were handed a brass baton, containing a message from HM King Charles III by the Burghead Boys’ Brigade. The official handover took part at the top of Nelson’s Tower. His Majesty is the patron of the Boys’ Brigade.
The following week, 2nd Forres Boys’ Brigade cycled out to Brodie Castle to hand the baton over to 1st Nairn Boys’ Brigade as it continued on its journey around the country.
