Explorer Scouts prepare for trip of a lifetime

The bucket collection at Sainsbury, left to right, Aidan Beverton, Tess Lincoln and Owen Thomas S30571H14

Four Explorer Scouts have been chosen to represent the Adur Valley district at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan next year.

James Oates, 13, and Aidan Beverton, 14, from 1st Shoreham Scout Group, Tess Lincoln, 14, from 3rd Shoreham Sea Scout Group, and Owen Thomas, 14, from 3rd/5th Lancing Sea Scout Group are now busy fundraising for the trip.

The Adur Valley Japan team, named AdurScouts4Japan, was at Sainsbury’s Lyons Farm, in Worthing, on Saturday doing a bucket collection.

Owen Thomas, 14, tips the rubber ducks into the water from Bramber Bridge

Owen explained: “To go to the World Scout Jamboree, the four of us have to fundraise £12,000, which will send us four and help send other Scouts from other countries to the Jamboree as well.”

A garden party was held at 3rd Shoreham Sea Scouts last Sunday, featuring a live string quartet, and one of the team’s big fundraising events was duck racing on Sunday, June 29.

Owen said: “The event was held on the River Adur, with a start line on Bramber Bridge and a finish line at the Downs Link Bridge.”

Owen and Tess emptied 350 rubber ducks into the river, where a convoy of various boats, including James and Aiden, was ready to follow the ducks.

Future fundraising events include a 12-hour cycle at Holmbush Shopping Centre on October 18, with the four Scouts being sponsored for their efforts over the weekend.

Adur district councillor Mike Mendoza will be there to cheer them on and officially start the cycle.

The team are among 31 Explorer Scouts, aged 14 to 18, representing West Sussex at the jamboree.

Peter Betts, assistant unit leader at Lancing Barracuda Explorer Scouts, has also been chosen for the trip, as one of five leaders with the West Sussex contingent.

West Sussex Scouts RYA Sea School held a get-together on the water in Shoreham for all 31 Explorer Scouts on Saturday, July 12.

Tom Smith, a leader at 3rd/5th Lancing Sea Scout Group, said: “It was coupled with a Shoreham Lifeboat Station open day, so quite an event.

“The young people have to raise £3,000 each to cover the travel and camp, so fundraising activities accompanied the day.”