Scouts give the greatest gift of all at Christmas
Christmas is a special time for giving and there is nothing greater than giving the gift of life. Twelve young people who courageously put the skills that they learnt in Scouting into dramatic effect have been recognised by The Scout Association.
These young people acted out of instinct and put themselves at risk in order to save the lives of others around them.
Saved a friend from drowning...
Damian, 14, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was one of many young people to have been given a special award by The Scout Association for an outstanding act of bravery this year.
He saved his friend from drowning in an icy lake. Damian saw that his friend was being bullied by older boys. They threw his friend’s bike onto the frozen lake, and when he walked on to the ice to retrieve it he fell through. Seeing that his friend was in grave danger, Damian rushed to his aid and jumped into the icy water to rescue him.
Damian said, 'I saw him fall in through the ice and I knew I had to do something quickly or he could die. So I decided to jump in and save him. We got really cold and had to go to hospital but I’m really, really glad I was able to do something to help. I feel very honoured and pleased to be given a Scout bravery award.'
Saved school friends from a collapsing ceiling...
Other Scouts honoured by The Scout Association include 14-year-old Hannah Walker from Sheerness, Kent.
Hannah was with her school friends taking her GCSE exams in her school gym when a ceiling vent fell on top of her fellow pupils. She pushed one of them out of the way, but sustained head and back injuries in the process. Despite her own injuries, all she thought about was caring for her friends who were injured and one who was unconscious.
Hannah said, 'It was a very windy day and that caused the accident. I just acted out of instinct and I was determined to help my friends. I never realised until later that I was injured as well.'
'Great bravery...'
Chief Scout, Bear Grylls said, 'These Scouts have shown great bravery and their acts are an inspiration to many. Scouts train for these moments. I am so proud that when it mattered they showed great Scouting spirit.'
Find out more about the recipients
You can read more about each recipient of these special Scout bravery awards by clicking on their name below:
- Damian, 14, a Scout from Stevenage, Hertfordshire
- Hannah, 14, a Scout from Sheerness, Kent
- Andrew, 18, an Explorer Scout Leader from Deal in Kent
- Mike Davis, 36, a Scout Leader from Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria
- Kerena, a nine-year-old Cub Scout, from Eastleigh, Hampshire
- Kirstie, 17, an Explorer Scout from Broadstairs, Kent
- Robert, 11, a Scout from Watford, Hertfordshire
- Stephen, 11, a Cub Scout from Great Dunmow, Essex
- Mark Rosevear, 24, a Scout Leader from Penryn, Cornwall
- Joseph, 15, a Scout from Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Shane, 10, a Cub Scout from Crewe, Cheshire
- Caroline, 17, an Explorer Scout from Luton, Bedfordshire
Providing adventure to the UK’s young people
Scouting is more popular than ever, with adult volunteering increasing at the fastest rate for 23 years and just as many girls as boys now joining. Despite this, demand still outstrips supply and waiting lists remain at an all-time high due to the need for more adult volunteers.
By volunteering for Scouting you not only benefit from supporting young people, you also gain from developing yourself.
There are lots of flexible volunteering opportunities.
Further information
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