Announcing the Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes 2025

Nineteen of the winners came together with Dwayne at Gilwell, the Scouts' home by Epping Forest, for a special awards ceremony. They were joined by their family members. Each was given a certificate from Dwayne and a £250 bursary, thanks to the generous support of the Vasey Family Trust.

After the ceremony itself, they enjoyed an afternoon of activities including archery, tomahawk throwing and crate stacking. 

A lot of the winners were recognised for putting the skills they’d learned in Scouts into action. There was also fundraisers, raising incredible amounts for charity, and those who showed unwavering resilience, having faced personal challenges while still giving a huge commitment to Scouts.

Read on to find out more about the brilliant things they all did.

Using their skills to help others

Cameron, 11, jumped into action at a restaurant in Poole, Dorset, when someone in a nearby family started choking. When everyone started to panic, Cameron stayed calm and talked an adult through exactly what to do - using the skills he’d learned in Scouts.

Lucy, 16, also put her first aid training to the test when her grandad fell down a river embankment, injuring his ankle. Thinking fast, she used the What3Words app to share their exact location and looked after him until Mountain Rescue and an ambulance arrived. The whole situation lasted five hours, but Lucy kept her cool. She phoned her dad to help manage emergency calls, gave her grandad some of her clothes to keep him warm and even made a crutch out of a tree branch to help get him to safety.

Then there’s George, who was out kayaking on Ullswater in the Lake District when he spotted a young child in trouble. The child had paddled across the lake without any safety gear and had ended up in the water. George quickly held the child above the surface until help arrived from a nearby boat.

Facing personal challenges

Yehor, 6, joined Beavers after being evacuated from Ukraine because of the war. Despite everything he’s been through, he’s shown incredible bravery and kindness, especially by helping others going through similar experiences. He’s since taken on every challenge, including even climbing Scafell Pike, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), and Ben Nevis!

Hazel, 15, was recognised as an amazing young leader who always makes sure everyone feels included, especially the quieter Scouts. Even while going through years of chemotherapy, she shows up every week with a big smile, gives it her all, and still finds time to fundraise for her group.

Fabulous fundraisers

Ivy, 5, spent her Saturdays in October and November 2024 helping to raise money for the Royal British Legion by selling poppies. She was the youngest poppy seller in Bradford and helped raise over £5,000!

George, 9 walked 70 miles and raised a massive £2,700 plus gift aid for Cancer Research after cancer had affected several members of his family.

Harry, 11, went the extra mile, quite literally. He cycled all the way from Land’s End to John O’Groats... and then turned around and did it all again! He raised a huge £40,000 for a hedgehog rescue charity and made lots of new Scout friends along the way.

Community changemakers

Emile, 16, made a huge difference in his local area by collecting over 176 full bin bags of litter. He successfully campaigned to get eight new bins installed in high-litter spots, and even helped improve road safety as he cleaned local road signs.

Going above and beyond

This is the fifth year of the Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes awards, which were started by the 10th Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, in 2019.

Dwayne told the winners, ‘We only choose 20 unsung heroes each year, so you're part of a very special group. You have all done remarkable things – from fantastic fundraising to epic adventures, supporting your community, getting through tough times or just showing an amazing amount of kindness. Each of you have shown our Scout values and gone above and beyond. You should be so proud of yourselves.

I love your stories. I love your courage, your ideas and, most of all, your kindness. All of you have shown such incredible Scout values and you’re a true inspiration.’

Thank you

A huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers who took the time to nominate young people for the awards, to the judges who helped Dwayne with the tough job of picking just twenty, and to the Vasey Family Trust for their generous support.

Big congratulations and well done to all our winners and nominees — we’re so proud of you!