Scouts lend a hand with the post

NHS Bristol said it welcomed the support of the scouts

Bristol scouts are helping stick envelopes and deliver letters with appointment times for swine flu vaccinations during the postal strike.

The boys and girls from 256 scouts at Christ Church, Hengrove, volunteered to spend two weekends delivering 2,500 letters for Whitchurch Health Centre.

Steve Davies, practice manager, said: "Without their help contacting our key patients would have been difficult."

The scouts will continue to deliver letters during the half-term holiday.

'Really grateful'

Scout Leader Cyril Mullen said: "The scouts have always done things to earn their keep and they've got quite a bit of experience delivering letters at Christmas.

"We've about 30 young people in the group and we spent a good Saturday evening sorting the letters out and taking them away for delivery.

"I think the practice is quite happy as the letters only started going out on Sunday and they've already had phone calls back from patients."

Deborah Evans, chief executive of NHS Bristol, said: "We welcome the support of the scouts during a time of need.

"It is fantastic to see children leading the way in new initiatives in the community and we are really grateful for their help."