A POPULAR charity Christmas card delivery scheme has stopped ahead of this year’s festive fun.

The Dorset Scouts’ volunteer-run Christmas postal service has ceased operations, amid rising costs and a decline of interest.

Organised by the Dorchester and West Dorset Scouts, the scheme saw volunteers sort and deliver thousands of Christmas cards across the district each year.

Starting in 1987 with a goal of delivering 1,000 cards, it soon expanded, with more than 50,000 cards delivered by 2013, raising money for local charities and scouting at the same time.

The group would receive hundreds of ‘out-of-area’ cards, which the service honoured nonetheless and posted via Royal Mail, both nationally and overseas.

Volunteers sorted and hand delivered the Christmas cards

It was temporarily cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but resumed in 2021 and 2022.

However, these years marked a strong decline, making it no longer feasible for the scheme to continue.

Acting district commissioner of Dorchester and West Dorset Scouts, Debbie Thomas, said: “In recent years the scheme has seen a steady decline in the number of cards posted and therefore a huge reduction in the monies raised, at a time when everyone is under financial pressure of ever-increasing costs.

“We too have the very same issues.

“The entire scheme was run by an outstanding group of adult volunteers, estimated to be in the region of 300.

“Over the years they have walked, collected, stamped, sorted, and delivered thousands of good wishes.

“We will be forever thankful to the hundreds of volunteers who have kindly given us their time; to the businesses who sponsored our flyers in the past; to the stores who hosted our yellow boxes; and, to the public for their endearing and loyal support.”