Strathaven Scouts are prepared for African adventure

May 15 2008 By Sandra Walls

A TROOP of Scouts plan a trip to Africa this summer to help build a children’s playground.

The 1st Strathaven Explorer Scouts are planning the trip in conjunction with the Health Help International charity.

Four leaders and 12 scouts are going on the trip, which has been partly funded by a grant of £14,000 from the Woodlands Trust.

The scouts, Declan Copeland 18, Niall Woodley 17, Ruridh Allen 17, Rory Dean 16, David Carr 16, Craig Lamb 16, Chris Kennedy 15, Lewis Ferguson 15, Connor Allen 14, Jordan Murphy 14, and Lawrence Kennet, all are pupils or former pupils of Strathaven Academy.

They will be accompanied by their leader Tim Geraghty, and three assistant leaders, Iain Park, Niall Geraghty and Chris Baird.

Although the money from the Trust will boost the Scouts’ funds and help towards the cost of this year’s trip, it will fund travel and accommodation for the scouts and two leaders. In return, the scouts have to raise money for the charity.

The group will arrange further events this year for that purpose.

The scouts will be residing at the HHI premises in Zambia where they will pitch tents.

Scout Declan Copeland said: “We have completed a number of tasks to raise money for HHI, and this year we plan to use the funds to build a playground and various apparatus designed for disabled children.

“We will be in Zambia for at least nine days completing the project.

“Two weeks will be spent in Monze in the East of the country, building the playground apparatus.”

They will also spend time helping out at a farm.

The scouts will also have some free time to explore the area, and plan a trip to the local safari park, and Victoria Falls, and will travel to Lusaka before flying home.

HHI raise money to help deprived people in villages in India and Zambia and the Explorers are enthusiastic in their support of it.

The charity was formed by a former member of Strathaven Scouts, Ron Prosser, one of the founder members of Friends of Strathaven Scouts.

Last year six members and leaders of the 1st Strathaven Explorer Scouts Unit joined over 200 runners in the inaugural Strathaven 10k Race, organised by Strathaven Striders.

The runners, including Strathaven running and cycling stalwart Iain Park, took up the challenge to ‘Run with the Wind’, to raise more money.

It was Iain Park’s idea to help the playground project, and he encouraged Woodland Trust to provide some funding.

Donations to HHI can be handed to any member of the Explorer Unit. For further information on the charity visit www.HHI.org.uk