Five young people from Marlborough are heading to one of the world’s largest – and poorest – countries to celebrate a century of Scouting there.
Henry Daubney, Jake Wren, Dan and Matthew Bonser, and Megan Hawkins are all Savernake Forest Explorer Scouts.
Next summer they will head to remote parts of Tanzania to help with vital infrastructure projects before getting together for a jamboree with local Scouts to celebrate 100 years of the Scouting movement in the east African republic.
But before they leave, each Scout has to raise a whopping £3,000. A 7,000km static bike ride, bag packing in local shops, and a bake sale has seen them reach the halfway point in their fundraising endeavours.
And yesterday (Wednesday) Marlborough and District Lions Club presented the Explorer Unit with £1,000 – £200 per Scout – to help them hit their target.
Sixteen-year-old Jake will be helping to build accommodation for doctors at a hospital built by a previous expedition.
“The hospital is in a very remote region, so the doctors have to live on site,” explained Jake.
Megan (15) – who will fly to Africa after completing her GCSEs at St John’s – will be helping to construct a medical centre in a different village. The roof and walls are already up, so Megan and her team mates will be tasked with installing doors and windows, and painting the facility.
Henry will be helping to construct a skills workshop to help young Tanzanians learn vital trade skills, while Dan will be creating a jamboree site on a hillside. “We’ll have four weeks to create a campsite for 100 Scouts from the UK and 100 from Tanzania,” he said.
Susan Lampard, president of Marlborough and District Lions, said: “This project appealed to us because we are supporting young local people in a project that will also benefit people in Africa.”
Anyone who wishes to support the Explorer Scouts can contact HCSC Tanzania Expedition ℅ 38 Manton Hollow, Marlborough SN8 1RR