STAFF from an Okehampton business swapped their laptops for paintbrushes on Wednesday last week, July 11, to give the town’s scout hut a makeover.

The group from financial services firm Simpkins Edwards worked in two shifts to paint the interior of 1st Okehampton Scouts’ premises off Crediton Road.

The whole staff of the Okehampton branch took part, using paint and other materials donated to brighten up the hall for the 60 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts who meet there.

Lisa Wonnacott, who works at the Okehampton branch, was painting a tricky bit of wall in the toilets.

‘I have never done painting before, so I’m learning!’ she said.

Scout group chairman Gareth Holt said: ‘Simpkins Edwards are donating a day’s work to charity to celebrate their 50th year. Technically, we’re a charity, so the Okehampton branch approached us and asked “is there anything we can do for you?”

‘Some of their kids have been through the scouts, so they wanted to help us.’

Simpkins Edwards staff were also clearing undergrowth in the woods at the back of the hut, which the scouts are transforming into a meeting area complete with a firepit. They have plans for a teepee made from the group’s old heavy canvas tents.

‘We’ve been looking to improve the facilities here for a while, and we’ve received a very nice donation from Okehampton United Charity of £2,500 to help us do that,’ said Gareth. ‘Not many scout groups have their own facilities, they have to work from church halls and the like, so we are lucky to have what we have here.’

He said that Mole Avon in Okehampton had also helped by providing a discount towards buying the materials.