THE 4th Ealing Guides have created a free virtual escape room style advent calendar in aid of local charity, Home-Start, to spread some good cheer and kindness at the end of a most unusual year.

The advent calendars consist of 24 puzzles that need to be solved in order to progress further into the story.

4th Ealing Guides Unit Leader, Anne-Marie Pearce, told Nub News: "The guides came up with all the puzzles for the calendar.

"Guides has had to move online due to lockdown, so it was a really enjoyable activity we were able to do as part of our virtual meetings.

"We wanted to create something that people can share easily with their friends and family during a time where it is most challenging to stay connected with each other."

The way people primarily get to access the advent calendar is if someone else has sent it to them via email or WhatsApp, so Pearce encourages everyone to share it 'far and wide', to bring some Christmas cheer and spread the kindness.

"Usually we host a Christmas party that brings people together and raises money for charity, but this year because of the pandemic that hasn't been possible.

"We hope the calendar will be a daily dose of fun in the run up to the festive season, during a time when it is more challenging to be with family, friends and loved ones" added the mum-of-two.

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Linked to the calendar, 4th Ealing Guides have set up a fundraising campaign whereby people who have downloaded the advent calendar can donate money to help the charity that the guides have partnered with, which this year is Home-Start Ealing.

The Unit Leader said: "We looked for a local, Ealing based charity that helped families that really needed basic support due to the pandemic, especially regarding food.

"We narrowed it down to three charities and then the guides chose among themselves and we're proud to have chosen Home-Start, because of all the fantastic work they're doing in the community."

4th Ealing Guides had a fundraising target of £500, but have smashed through that and have already raised over £1,000.

"We're absolutely delighted to have already raised more than double our target, it means our advent calendars have really resonated with people and that they're helping connect the community, just as we hoped."

If you'd like to download the advent calendar then please click here .

If you'd like to donate to 4th Ealing Guides' fundraiser and support Home-Start Ealing, then please click here .