Rob Hornby’s annual Around The Grounds Non League Football Blog in aid of charity raised £728 for the 10th Mansfield Scout group.

Rob donated 25p for every goal seen — 380 over 74 matches — and donations from others and the proceeds of a raffle run by his wife, Hazel, and son, Shawn, boosted the final total.

Shawn, (13), who has autism, has been a member of the Scout group for two years and always been made welcome, gaining some badges and going on trips and overnight camps.

The money will be spent on new equipment.

Chairman of the Scout group Steve Cree said: “We thank the Hornby family for this kind donation.”

He said the inclusive group was on the brink of closure due to insufficient numbers of young people attending several years ago, but now had 70-80 young people through its doors each week and was continuing to grow.

Ellen Reid, Group Scout Leader, said the group, which meets at St Augustone’s Church on Thursdays, from 5pm, welcomed new members.

She said they were also looking for businesses that could help sponsor its bid to buy a minibus.