Girlguiding Bermuda is launching a fundraising drive today that will see its young members doing odd jobs for people in the community.

The all-volunteer charity needs funds to help to cover its minimal operating costs, membership fee to the British parent organisation and to boost programming for its 100 or so guides.

The High Five Hands fundraiser takes place from today until February 16 and invites members of the community who need a job done to reach out to see if the guides can assist.

Roslyn Simmons, the commissioner of the local branch, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, said: “As part of the fundraiser, you can ask a Girl Guide to carry out a task, and once they have completed it, you give them a donation for doing it. It might be dusting, cleaning, folding clothes, washing dishes, taking out the trash or sweeping out a yard. It’s teaching them to be helpful.

“There are measures in place to ensure the girls stay safe as they engage in the fundraising. The task must be age-appropriate and the girls are not permitted to go to strangers’ houses alone. The girls’ safety and wellbeing are paramount.

“We have to pay so much money out so we are trying to do our own fundraising. On top of the £8,000 [$11,000] we have to pay annually to the UK Girl Guides organisation, we also have our maintenance costs for our facility, the Asser Hut.

“We also pay part of the membership fees for our members. We would like to organise a camping trip and, each year, a closing event.

“We used to have an international camp which we would also like to bring back. We are trying to get together with the other territories.

“Fundraising keeps us together and keeps girl guiding going. We couldn’t do it on our own. All donations are greatly appreciated at any time and volunteers are also greatly welcomed.”

There are a variety of ways individuals can volunteer including working with the girls, assisting with public relations, accounting, recruitment and training.

Ms Simmons said membership had dropped “tremendously” in recent years. Where there used to be about 1,000 girl guides in Bermuda, now there are only about 100.

Girlguiding Bermuda has four units catering for different age groups. At present, there are three Rainbow units (for ages 4 to 7), six Brownie units (age 7 to 10), two operating guides units (age 10 to 16), and one Rangers unit (age 16 to 18).

The Royal Gazette reported in 2023 that the organisation faced an uncertain future after the parent organisation in Britain announced the closure of overseas operations. It has since been adopted by the UK’s North West region.

Bermuda’s branch of the leadership and personal development programme for girls and young women was founded in 1919.

Ms Simmons said: “Girlguiding Bermuda helps to teach young girls new skills and to do for others, and allows them to have fun.

“They make long-lasting friendships and it helps to build character.

“You are making friends with others as you are always trying to help people. If I see a situation, I am going to help you. We help to look after our sisterhood and brotherhood.

“We are looking out to be great citizens, build them into wonderful young ladies and prepare them to venture out in the world.”

• Anyone wishing to provide a pledge to a girl guide as part of the High Five Hands fundraiser can make a request by calling 292-0675.For more information about Girlguiding Bermuda, visitwww.girlguiding.bm