A POPULAR East Cornwall Beaver group is this week appealing to the community for assistance, to ensure it can continue running successfully. The beaver section of the 1st Tamar Valley Scout group was close to having to close its doors to its young members when beaver leader Claire Wherry's work commitments meant she could no longer lead the group. Thankfully, a willing volunteer has now come forward and taken over as leader with Claire giving support when she can. But the need is still great for assistant leaders and regular helpers to enable the continuation of each of the sections — beavers, cubs and scouts. Claire said: 'We desperately need people to offer to help. We have had a lady who has stepped up and is prepared to be the leader for Beavers. It will still only be one lady leading the group with me as a back up — but I work and can't always be there. 'We are desperate for helpers across all sections. At the moment we have one person who runs the cubs and the scouts — we are just really short of adult helpers.' Claire said there was a handful of parents who helped out but they need dedicated people to help on a regular basis. The need for help is especially important during outdoor activities and overnight expeditions as a certain ratio of adults to children is required for safety reasons. 'It's about being able to spread the load,' said Claire. 'It's quite a lot for just one person to do.' Claire said the groups had been running for many years and at one point were the most successful in the county, but numbers diminished until only the cub section was left. Claire joined three years ago and the groups have since grown again, now with around a dozen beavers and around 20 youngsters in the cubs and the same number in the scouts. 'We just need more adults to keep them going', she said. 'In an ideal world we would have two assistants and a leader in each group, but you can never have too many helpers!' Claire said the groups were 'unbelievably' important for the youngsters that attended, helping to build confidence and learn necessary skills for life. 'We see them grow, and the confidence and skills they get from it is brilliant. As a leader the social life you get from it is excellent. 'You get to meet so many different people and we are such a close-knit group. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.' The beaver section is now also inviting new youngsters to join, from age five and three quarters upwards, after a number of members progressed up to the cub section. The group was unable to advertise for new members because of the insecurity of its future, but now a new leader has been found, more youngsters can be involved. For more information about 1st Tamar Valley Scouts, or for anyone interested in offering help, contact group scout leader David Dyter on 01822 833783 or email [email protected]">[email protected]