A mum of three who is working towards becoming a leader for a local Rainbows group has added her voice to those appealing for more such volunteers.

Helen Simpson, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, decided to help out with the 1st Burley Rainbows after two daughters joined, enjoying the wide range of fun activities on offer.

But Mrs Simpson says there are Brownie, Guide and Rainbow – the younger version of the Brownies – groups in the area which are at risk of closing because there are too few people willing to commit to help out.

She is currently doing her leadership qualification so she can jointly run the 1st Burley Rainbows.

She said: “I am not a ‘do-gooder’, I am a regular, busy, hard working mum. I have no skills with large groups of five to seven-year-old year old girls other than my own, but I have come to realise you don’t need anything particularly special.

“You just need to see the difference that Girl Guiding can make to young girls, see their excitement at the prospect of a new challenge, and their faces when something difficult has been achieved.

“It’s normal everyday people like me, who, with a little effort, can help keep great institutions like this going,” she added.

Mrs Simpson’s eldest daughter, now a Brownie, enjoyed Rainbows from the moment she joined, trying activities such as crafts, nature trails, baking, water fights, climbing, sleepovers, barbecues, and film star parties.

Her younger daughter then joined Burley Rainbows.

Mrs Simpson urged local people who may be able to spare a couple of hours a week to contact the District Commissioner, Sue Vint, on (01943) 864515.