A SURE sign that Christmas is coming fast is the launch of the Scout Post, which over the coming weeks will deliver nearly a million Christmas cards across Wirral - all in aid of charity.

Hundreds of volunteers work on the post, which has raised £633,000 over the past 16 years. Launched last Saturday at New Brighton Lifeboat Station, Scout leaders hope that this will be the best year yet.

"The Scout Post raises a lot of valuable money for charity," says organiser Phil Hale. "Over 80 different charities benefit from the work and more than 60 groups from across Wirral pitch in to help deliver the cards. The stamps are on sale now, so you can post early."

Scout Post stamps are available at over 300 outlets, priced at 14p each. Christmas cards can be posted where the stamps are on sale, with Christmas delivery guaranteed on cards posted before noon on Wednesday, December 17.

Added Mr Hale: "We cover all of Wirral, from Puddington in the South right up to the North coast. All we ask is that people only send Christmas cards and address the envelopes properly.

"We get very few cards that are not properly addressed, but they cause us all manner of problems. Make sure you use the full address - including the post code where possible."

Over 800,000 cards were handled by last year's post and organisers stress that the deliveries are made by accompanied children and adults.

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