Scouts

N.B Photo taken prior to 2020 for a different award.

Bear Grylls honours brave North East young person as an Unsung Hero 2021

• Theo Harvey, was chosen from over 330 nominations from across the UK by Bear Grylls personally to be one of 20 “Bear Gryll’s Unsung Heroes 2021” The award scheme, created by Grylls honours specifically young people that have shown exceptional kindness, courage and resilience over the past year
• In late 2016, Theo was diagnosed with a brain tumour, despite his ongoing challenges, he has raised £8,500 for Guide Dogs for the blind and hopes to be placed with a dog of his own in time to increase his independence alongside his commitment to Scouts.
• Theo, a Scout from 1st Alford Scout Group was recently honoured with a Cornwell Scout Badge. An award in respect of pre-eminently high character and devotion to duty, together with great courage and endurance.

Theo Harvey, a young person from 1^st Alford Scout Group was honoured as one of Bear Grylls Unsung Heroes for 2021,  young people from across the UK, were chosen from hundreds of nominations, put forward by local volunteers, on the basis of their story. Bear Grylls, Chief Scout for the movement, personally picked twenty young people in Scouts who’ve shown Scouts values, kindness, courage and the Scout’s ‘never give up’ spirit.

‘You guys are the pinnacle; the elite,’ Bear Grylls told the Unsung Heroes. ‘We’re all part of the same Scout family, but each of us have different skills, talents. That’s what makes us strong.’

The Unsung Heroes’ achievements were as varied as they were impressive. Some huge sums for good causes, drew pictures or told jokes for charity. One Scout, Max Woosey, camped out for over 550 days, and raised over half a million pounds for his local hospice. (And he’s still camping now).

Others cycled, climbed and travelled hundreds of miles for charity, all going the extra mile to do something amazing. Some achieved their awards despite facing serious ill ness or losing a close family member, while others were recognised for the calmness and presence of mind dealing with emergencies. 

Theo’s parents David and Wendy added “Theo now lives with complex health issues and has many hospital admissions, but keenly attends scouts . Scouting gives Theo a chance to have adventure and challenge just the same as everyone else despite his sight loss. made possible by his local scout group leader. Theo has enduring strength and a spirit to never get discouraged we are very proud of him."

Grylls recognised the efforts of 14 year old Theo, who went through a incredibly difficult life changing events but keep on going and fundraised an exceptional £8,500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Theo was diagnosed with a brain tumour mid-2016 and had to undergo extensive surgery to reduce the tumour where he irretrievably lost his sight.

Theo kept up with local Scouting. He has been able to engage in adventurous activities and camps over the years alongside fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind through craft fayres, sponsored cycling and other events, raising over £8,500. Hearing personally about Theo’s

On getting the award, Theo said “Thank you for the Award I`m so pleased to receive it, and for being chosen from so many. I am just doing what I enjoy, I don`t see myself as a Hero just an ordinary boy and a Scout, who is looking to help others  because that's what Scouts do for other people."

Dougie Simmers, Regional Commissioner for North East Scotland Scouts commented: “To be recognised by our Chief Scout Bear Grylls is a fantastic achievement for Theo, he has gone to great lengths to show that never give up spirit in his daily life. Theo is a shining example of how we give young people not only the skills for life but the personal qualities and values that employers, colleges, universities and society need more than ever right now.”

Bear Grylls commented on those who received awards “What an example they are to so many of us. How we conduct ourselves in tough times really matters. Keep people close to you, keep positive, keep kind, and keep that never give up spirit.’

Scouts is the largest co-educational youth movement in the country. You can join today by visiting https://nescouts.scot/Groups/. If you would like to donate towards Guide Dogs for the Blind, see https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-harvey30

NEScout welcomed The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Climate change skills workshop and then headed to COP26

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined a lucky group of Scouts in Glasgow before COP26, where they learned skills about sustainable transport, planet friendly cooking and rewilding with the young people. This involved refurbishing bikes to provide a low carbon option for local commuters, cooking plant based food and making seed bombs. Among those Scouts present at the workshop, was 12-year-old Lewis Howe, a member of 1st Laurencekirk Scout Group from the North East of Scotland. Lewis was chosen as a #OneStepGreener Ambassador after using the skills learned in Scouts to raise awareness of food wastage in schools.

In the lead up to becoming a #OneStepAmbassador, Lewis emailed all schools in Scotland suggesting an action plan to not only reduce food waste but use surplus food to create meals for those in need. He is now working with his scout leaders, local MSP's and his school to push his idea forward and challenge all Scottish schools to put their food waste to better use. Lewis has asked Aberdeenshire Council to consider piloting the scheme at his own school, Mearns Academy in Laurencekirk and is waiting to hear back. In the meantime, Lewis is starting to fundraise to buy equipment needed for the pilot.

Lewis, 12, said “I met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who were really interested in my project and asked lots of questions.  They knew I had cycled 5k for 50days during lockdown to raise money to put towards an end of lockdown activity so we talked about that. They asked me what badge was the hardest to earn and I said it was my environmental. We made seed bombs and spread them in the grass. It was great to meet them, they were very nice and it was a fun afternoon”.

Guiding the Royal’s visit in Glasgow, Scout volunteer Eddie O'Rourke said “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Scouts taking part in our #PromiseToThePlanet campaign. They were a real inspiration to all the Scouts that are working hard to make changes to protect the planet. It’s great to see the Duke and Duchess work with our young people and recognise that everyone is capable of helping and everyone’s effort is important in the fight against climate change.”

On top of meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Lewis attended the COP26 conference in Glasgow to showcase his idea and learn more about what others are doing to help climate change. Lewis met Scouts from all over the world as well as members of the Scouts Community Impact Group.  He also met personally with Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss his idea.

On his time at COP26, Lewis said “It was good to meet all the other Scouts at COP26, they were really friendly and wanted to hear about what I had been doing.  There was lots to see and do at the green zone and I was really interested in visiting the space4climate exhibition and learning about how space is helping climate change, now and in the future. I would encourage people to make their #promisetotheplanet – if they have an idea put it out there.

Lewis’s Leader Paul Quigley, 1^st has been supporting Lewis since the beginning of his project and said “The fact that Lewis has taken on this challenge with mainly his personal initiative shows that he is keen and passionate about climate change and reducing food waste. We are proud within our role as leaders. Lewis is a true role model for youths and even us leader to keep learning and improving the world around us by our actions.”

The Scout’s #PromiseToThePlanet” encourages 57 million Scouts from nearly every country in the world to take a stand and work towards a better world by taking action to reduce climate change. The initiative covers four key areas: recover, recycle, reduce and rethink Scouts in India have been replanting forests, in Ivory Coast clearing plastics from beaches and solar water disinfection in Mexico.

North East Scotland Scouts commented, "Lewis has worked exceptionally hard to drive his initiative through from an idea right through to clear actions on his part. Using the skills learned during his time with Laurencekirk Scouts, Lewis is a shining example of what it means to live by our organisation's values and how we as an organisation, help young people to do more, be more and share more by giving them the skills needed for life."

From tackling climate change to learning about morse code, Scouts offer over 200 adventurous activities and the chance for people of all ages to be more, do more and share more. Scouts gives people of all ages to learn the skills needed for life and to have one in a lifetime opportunities, both at home and abroad. You can enrol your young person or join as an adult volunteer by checking out http://nescouts.scot today and filling an application.

Scout from the North East of Scotland picked as One Step Greener Ambassador for COP26

• The final six ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors have been chosen by the British public ahead of COP26 Summit in November and are leading the One Step Greener chain, a social media movement to encourage and inspire others to go #OneStepGreener for the environment. Hundreds of entries from across the UK were submitted and the final six announced earlier last week include Cam Whitnall (CBBC presenter), Simone Giampaolo (award-winning animator) and Lewis Howe (Scottish Scout)
• Lewis Howe, 12, a member of 1^st Laurencekirk Scout Group from the North East of Scotland was chosen to take part after using the skills learned in Scouts to raise awareness of food wastage in schools. He suggested schools across Scotland repackage unused food and give to those in need.  Lewis has asked Aberdeenshire Council to consider piloting the scheme at his own school, Mearns Academy in Laurencekirk.
• Lewis attended 10 Downing Street on Thursday night to meet the rest of the 26 #OneStepGreener Ambassadors at an event hosted by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston, ahead of the COP26 summit taking place in Glasgow.

Last week the British public chose the final six ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors from across the UK, people who are going above and beyond to tackle climate change. They will join the existing 20 Ambassadors, making 26 for COP26.

One of the people selected was Lewis Howe 12, a young person from North East of Scotland. Lewis is a member of 1^st Laurencekirk Scout Group and during his time with the group, he was inspired to take positive action on the environmental issues that matter most to him. Lewis struggled with the confinement of lockdown, so he threw himself into his online programme with Scouts, which he says helped him through the pandemic by giving him something to focus on.

Lewis emailed all schools in Scotland suggesting an action plan to not only reduce food waste but use surplus food to create meals for those in need, he is now working with his leaders, local MSP's and his school to push his idea forward and challenge all Scottish schools to put their food waste to better use as available meals for others.

Regarding the Ambassadors, COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said: “From schools to businesses and employees, to thousands of individuals across the country, we all have a part to play in going one step greener. That is why I am extremely proud to see the final six One Step Greener Ambassadors announced today. I look forward to seeing the stories of these inspirational individuals from all over the UK showcased at COP26.”

As well as attending 10 Downing Street ahead of the summit last Thursday with the other #OneStepGreener Ambassadors, Lewis will travel to Glasgow to share his idea with delegates. Lewis believes young people should have their voices heard – they have fresh ideas and understand the challenges Scotland and the world are facing.  Simple ideas like Lewis’s impact those involved as well as everyone else as together they contribute positively to climate change. 

This is why Lewis is proud to be a #OneStepGreener Ambassador – to promote these issues and encourage others with ideas to put them out there. Lewis feels that being a Scout has given him the confidence and initiative to take on this project and the resilience to challenge others and see things through.  These skills have come from his time in the Scouts.

Lewis, 12, said “Scouts gave me the opportunity to come up with a simple idea that could have a big impact and act on it.  I had the support of my leaders, and it gave me the confidence to not give up and keep going once I started getting positive responses from schools. I was surprised to be invited to 10 Downing Street, but I was excited. It is a day I will never forget, and I met some really cool people who wanted to hear about my environmental project and what I get up to with Scouts.

Lewis continued "It was interesting being in number 10. I met lots of people including MP Bim Afolami who was really interested in hearing about my project, what I do at Scouts and how I earned all my badges. He talked to me all about number 10 and the gardens. My idea is to reduce waste and see schools using leftover food by packaging it up and handing it out to food banks or people collecting it from schools. I emailed all schools in Scotland and I'm working to get a pilot up and running then I will go back to all the schools with more than just an idea. I am going to start fundraising to buy a fridge and environmental friendly packaging for the pilot. I came up with the idea for my environment project for my wold challenge badge."

Lewis urges everyone to consider what they could tdo to help the planet, "If you have an idea, put it out there - all the little changes add up and together we can have a positive impact on climate change”. As part of the Scout's #PromiseToThePlanet campaign from June to November this year, 57 million Scouts from across the world will take a stand and work towards a better world by taking action to reduce climate change. They’ll get hands-on to make a difference wherever they live, use their voices to inspire decision makers, and record their actions for the planet.

Dougie Simmers, Regional Commissioner for North East Scotland Scouts commented: “As Scouts we prepare young people with the skills for life and that includes learning about and taking action on social issues in the world. Our movement is about helping others and that’s how we started and it’s still the exact same today. Lewis is a great example of a young person taking initiative and through his time with the Scouts, has really highlighted the issue of food wastage in certain settings. Lewis has a great future in front of him and is a massive credit to our whole movement”

From tackling climate change to learning about morse code, Scouts offer over 200 adventurous activities and the chance for people of all ages to be more, do more and share more. Scouts gives people of all ages to learn the skills needed for life and to have one in a lifetime opportunity both at home and abroad. You can enrol your young person or join as an adult volunteer by checking out http://nescouts.scot today and filling an application.

The full list of ‘One Step Greener’ Ambassadors from across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England includes:

Cam Whitnall (CBBC presenter), Simone Giampaolo (award-winning animator), Lewis Howe (Scout), Jamie Quince Starkey (Down to Earth), Sabeha Miah (Cycle Sisters), James Owen Thomas (Tree Council Ambassador), Aamir Khan (eco-conscious business owner), Maria Antonieta Nestor (A Toy’s Life and Beyond), Melissa Wilson (GB rower), Clare Every (vegan food blogger), Waimi, Mbetmi and Yimi Fongue (clean champions), Siobhan McKenna (ReJean Denim), Cathy Yitong Li (youth activist), Dame Jackie Daniel (NHS), Alice Powell (Envision Virgin Racing), Hugo Chambers (Sainsbury’s), Jasmine Allen (SSE), Toby McCartney (MacRebur), Sara Thomson (The Leith Collective), James Lloyd-Jones (Jones Food Company), Emer Rafferty (youth environmentalist), Ade Adepitan (Paralympic medalist and TV presenter), Max La Manna (low-waste chef), Rob Thompson (Odyssey Innovation), Ash Dykes (adventurer and extreme athlete) and Buffy Boroughs (Green Gathering Festival).

Some members of 2nd Elgin Scout Group took on the challenge to raise money for homeless veterans across the UK as they made their own shelters for a sleep-out challenge. 16 members including young people, volunteers and some keen parents took part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out, run by Royal British Legion Industries, throughout March.

Their original goal was to raise £150 through a JustGiving Fundraiser page but they soon knocked that figure out of the park, with a whopping £470 donated to the charity! The group took to the challenge after one of the local volunteers, Lee Kirkpatrick, was inspired after hearing one of his friends had recently completed the challenge with his family.

He thought it would be a great way to engage the Scouts online and keep them going through a difficult time, while also making a difference to a worthwhile cause. The money raised will enable RBLI’s continued support of veterans, more specifically for those with disabilities and those veterans who face issues with homelessness.

Many of the people they support, unfortunately, are living in precarious housing, or are ‘sofa surfing’, as a result of breakdowns in family relations or financial difficulties after returning to civilian life. RBLI also supports veterans who struggle with a range of other issues such as those living with physical disabilities and mental health conditions.

Lee said the youngsters were eager to get involved from the get-go, so they could do their bit to support other people alongside some enthusiastic parents joining in the fun by sleeping outside with the young people on the mild nights. Lee added that: "The challenge to the Scouts was simple; it's cold, it's dark, it's wet. Can you last the night and help homeless ex-servicemen and women?"

On top of their amazing fundraising achievement, 2^nd Elgin Scout Group have continued to deliver fun and excitement of Scouting activities through young people’s computer screens over the lockdown. Through local volunteers keeping it going, this support has helped young people’s wellbeing during the pandemic, by delivering some action packed virtual activities.

There is now light at the end of the tunnel, following updated guidance from the Scottish Government and Youthlink, with the Scout Movement announcing a return to face to face activities.

To begin with, this will be held at outdoors with a greatly reduced capacity, as Scout Groups across Scotland will follow a gradual phrased return to a form of normality. 2nd Elgin Scout Group look forward to resuming their own activities after the Easeter holidays.

Although the original fundraiser from the Elgin Scouts is now closed due to JustGiving rules, you may still donate to the Royal British Legion Industries if you wish on their webpage.