Scouts prepared for winter thanks to Fujitsu donation

A Hertfordshire Scout group was facing a long, hard winter when the outdated heating system in its meeting hut failed. But a donation of free equipment from Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK means the Scouts are now fully prepared to face the colder months.

The Second North Watford Scout Group includes Squirrel Scouts, Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts, who are based in a concrete building dating back to the 1960s. Its forced air gas-fired heater was beyond economical repair and, without radiators in the hut, an air-based solution was required.

The group approached Dyffyd Goode, Commercial Supervisor at Fujitsu, due to his connections to the Scout movement in the same district. When a heat loss calculation revealed that the hut needed 20kW of heating, Fujitsu donated two 10kW wall mounted split systems from the training room of its Elstree HQ. Due to be replaced by newer units, the systems were otherwise destined to be stripped for parts and/or scrapped.

Goode said: “They reached out to me because they wanted to know what options were out there. They would have been looking at running expensive electric heaters as a temporary measure until they decided how to proceed, so it was great that Fujitsu was able to donate the equipment to a community-based charity. It would definitely have been a long winter for the group.

“The kit we supplied can provide cooling as well in the summer, but that’s just a nice bonus, really. The main thing is that the group’s meetings can continue in comfort, whatever the weather.’’

One of the Fujitsu outdoor units at the Scout hut in Watford 

The equipment was installed by Mick Mills, owner of Watford-based electrical and air conditioning contractor Truenorth. He also donated his time and any materials he had in stock, only charging the group for additional purchases specific to the job.

He said: “I was involved in the Scout movement myself when my two sons were younger and I’ve known Dyffyd for as long. In fact, he was my first employee at Truenorth when I took him on as an apprentice. So when he asked about the possibility of fitting the equipment, I was more than happy to help.’’

In a letter of thanks, John Savern, Chairman of the Second North Watford Scout Group, said: “Thank you for your recent, very generous donation and installation of air conditioning equipment for heating our Scout HQ. I know the children will really appreciate it over the coming winter months.

“It is only thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses, like yours, that we are able to provide Scouting, and thus deliver all the fun, learning and life skills the children get from being in Scouts.’’