Pictured above: Hilary Roberts, of Pertemps People Development Group, joins Scout leader Don Welch and Scouts (left) Tom Dartnell, aged 13, and Jack Donnelly, 12, showing off the new trumpets

There's nothing like blowing your own trumpet, as two grateful West Midlands scouts found out.

The trumpets were brand new replacements after the group's mini-bus was stolen with all the band's instruments and uniforms inside following the Great Midlands Fun Run in Sutton Coldfield.

Employees at Birmingham-based Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) heard about the boys' plight and decided a £300 donation from the company's Payroll Giving scheme might go some way to helping out.

The Streetly Scout group is the sole remaining marching band in the Birmingham district and members were left devastated by the theft. Leader Don Welch said the Sutton Coldfield-based band offers a unique opportunity for young people to develop their musical talent and appreciated the gesture made by the PPDG staff.

"It was a particularly distressing episode but I'm so heartened by the support we've received to get the band back on track." he said.  

Helping to make the donation was PPDG employee Hilary Roberts. She said: "As a trumpeter myself I appreciate how learning and playing music brings everyone together. Making a small contribution to ensure the band continues to provide musical opportunity for young people is a fantastic use of our funds."

If anyone else can help Don would be pleased to hear from you. He can be contacted on 0121 353 5701.

The Scouts received a donation from PPDG's Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme. The company made the donation as part of its active community support programme. PPDG workers contribute each month to a GAYE scheme and have donated more than £100,000 to good causes and charities, many supporting the disabled and disadvantaged.

PPDG is recognised as one of the UK's market leaders in addressing unemployment and social exclusion. It has helped more than 100,000 long-term unemployed people into sustained employment and self-employment through a variety of Government-funded Welfare to Work initiatives including Employment Zone, New Deal, and the Family Engagement Support Project. It has also trained over 130,000 people in vocational skills, and more than 175,000 people have benefitted from professional information, advice and guidance services.