A call has gone out throughout Pembrokeshire for even more volunteers who could help the county’s popular Girlguiding organisation go from strength to strength.

Thanks to volunteer leaders coming forward, the start of 2014 will see new Brownie units in Neyland and Pembroke and a new Rainbow unit in Milford Haven, but there are still nearly 70 girls are on the waiting list

Said Pembrokeshire county commissioner, Helen Perrett: “The county is badly in need of further volunteers, especially in Eglwyswrw, Pembroke Dock, Lamphey, Fishguard, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Narberth and Crymych.

“More leaders would mean that units could take more girls, and therefore reduce the waiting lists. Many of the current leaders are running two units, due to the lack of volunteers in these areas.”

Girlguiding has an ongoing campaign to seek out more adult members, and the organisation has more than half a million members and volunteers around the UK.

Said Mrs Perrett: “Guiding is about giving girls their own space and making sure they are doing activities they are interested in. As an adult volunteer, you feel a huge sense of achievement when you see how much the girls in your unit grow in confidence as they follow the relevant programme for their age group.

“We are really keen as a county to enable everyone on our waiting tlist to join a local unit as soon as they reach the right age, and not have to wait.”

Events enjoyed by Girlguiding members in Pembrokeshire this year included a residential event at Celtic Camping in St Davids, while further afield, Annie Jeremias from the Lower Landsker Senior Section was chosen to represent Wales at an international event in India.

The Senior Section is for girls aged 14 and over, who meet and organise their own activities, but also volunteer with units as Young Leaders.

Next year, celebrations are planned to mark the centenary year of Brownies, including a fun day and a Birthday Ball.

Anyone who is interested in becoming an adult volunteer can go to wwww.girl guiding.org.uk and click on the ‘get involved’ link.