The 1st Colyton Brownies have raised nearly £500 for Children in Need by taking part in a sponsored 'cleanup-athon' around the village. 

£200 was the original target for the group - but as from today (Jan 3) they have raised £472, more than 200 per cent over their target.

The group hosted a sponsored litter pick in aid of the BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding fundraising appeal.

The sponsored litter pick took place at the playing fields on Coly Road on Saturday, November 12. 

The litter pick has raised lots of attention locally - the group featured on BBC Spotlight. They also recieved a letter from Colyton Parish Council congratulating them on making the town look smarter.

With just seven members, they might be small in number but they are determined to make a big difference to their rubbish-strewn park.

Food wrappers, drinks bottles and pizza boxes were among the unwelcome discoveries the girls made at Peace Memorial Playing Fields in Colyton on a recent walk around town.

Brown Owl Karen Rattew said: “The girls were so surprised at just how much rubbish there was at the park which really saddened them.

“There was so much plastic there which the girls knew would never degrade and they were worried about the impact on wildlife. They take pride in where they live and really wanted to do something about it.”

Committed to helping Colyton to clean up its act, Brownie leaders decided combining the litter pick with their annual fundraising for the BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding appeal would be the perfect match.

Karen added: “We always raise money for Children in Need and Girlguiding as it’s really important to the girls to give back and it’s great fun,” added Karen.  “Brownies is all about helping other people, so it seemed like a good idea to combine the two things which are both about doing things for the greater good.”

Now in the third year of the BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding partnership. The money raised will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding UK. 

To sponsor the litterpick in aid of BBC Children in Need 2022, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/colytonbrownies