Shropshire scouts keen to bag funds for Japan trip
A group of adventurous scouts from Shropshire have been raising money for a once in a lifetime trip to the other side of the world – by helping shoppers.
Before packing their own bags for the trip, the youngsters have been packing bags in Telford's Sainsbury's store on the Forge Retail Parkin Telford.
The 18 scouts each need to raise £3,500 to be able to attend the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan, which also includes a contribution to help scouts from less developed countries to attend.
The group has already raised £900 with a bag pack at Asda in Shrewsbury and more money through a Bags to School clothes collection.
Shropshire team leader Lynne Hall said the lucky scouts had been shortlisted from 42 applicants across the county.
The group will join more than 30,000 scouts from across the world in Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi City, Japan, from July 28 to August 8 2015. The event will include a trip to nearby Hiroshima.
The successful scouts had to complete a formal application and take part in a 'selection weekend' camp, which tested their abilities in teamwork, leadership, map work, problem solving and communication and presentation skills.
The team has now begun a programme of training, team building and fundraising in readiness for their adventure.
Lynne said: "Their first challenge is to raise the £3,500 each to attend and they are already well under way with fundraising efforts. More than half of this is the actual cost of travel but it also includes a significant contribution towards helping scouts from less developed countries, such as Burundi, Rwanda, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Honduras, attend the event too."
The World Scout Jamboree is held every four years and is a truly global event. In 2011 it was held in Sweden and 40,000 young people took part from 22 different countries.
"The theme for Japan is Peace, Unity and the Environment and it will be an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime," added Lynne.
They will also visit Tokyo, camp at the jamboree itself, with a focus on team building and cultural activities, the environment, friendship and co-operation.
The final week is spent taking part in a 'home-stay' with a Japanese family.
To follow the Shropshire Scouts' progress and find out more about the jamboree and how to help Unit 45 visit www.japan2015.org.uk
