Help Harrison get to World Scout Jamboree 2023

Hello my name is Harrison & I am 12 years old, soon to be 13. I am a scout at 100th Salford Scout Group & my Mum has set up this 'Go Fund me' page up, to help me with fundraising.

 

I applied to be a potential Jamboree attendee on 15th November & was selected to attend a selection event on 28th November & to prove I was a team player & why I should represent Greater Manchester West at the world Scout jamboree in South Korea in 2023. On the 4th December last year I earned my place to be one of the 36 selected from Greater Manchester West for Unit 53, to travel & attend The 25th World Scout jamboree in South Korea in August 2023.

My brother Sebastian was the first Scout in our family & is severely disabled with Angelman’s syndrome, he can’t walk or talk which makes travelling very hard for my family which is why this epic adventure is so important to me, I’m so humble & very Thankful that I was chosen to go on this once in lifetime adventure. 

What is a World Scout Jamboree?
The World Scout Jamboree is the largest regular event organised by the Scout Movement, gathering up to 40 000 people from all over the world. It is above all an educational event to promote peace and understanding. The world Scout Jamboree only happens every 4 years so this is my only chance to attend as a young person.

My Scouting journey

My scouting journey started at 2nd Irlam Scout Group when I was just 4, my Mum would attend with my disabled big brother who was a Beaver my Mum was his 1:1 & when there was nobody to look after me, the leaders would let me attend. I loved it! I loved the leaders, I loved the games & all the activities, I loved spending time with my brother and my Mum having fun..

 

We moved house & shortly after my name was down on the waiting list for 100th Salford Scout group Beaver section, where I started attending at age 6. I had so much fun getting muddy, playing games, pond dipping, achieving badges, attending camps including the Beavers 30th Birthday camp & before I moved on to Cubs I achieved my Chief Scout bronze award. Beavers was so much fun because of the brilliant Beaver leaders.

 

I was 8 when I moved on to cubs where I had so much fun playing games, camping with friends, hiking, climbing, canoeing, raft building, archery, cooking, having water fights, lighting fires, roasting marshmallows and learning lots of new life skills including first aid. I carried the flag on Remembrance Sunday and also laid a poppy wreath. I also helped out at a District Beaver camp too. I achieved my Chief Scout silver award by the time I was going to move up to Scouts.

 

At ten and a half years old I once again joined my big brother this time at Scouts. I was invested in January 2020 & before Covid happened, I attended & took part in the District swimming gala where we came second, I visited a Buddhist temple for Chinese New Year celebrations & took part in 2020’s Chinese New Year parade in the centre of Manchester and also took part in the Scouts GOOT competition. During lockdown 2020 I took part in camping at home then the Scouts virtual camp “at home” then the Greater Manchester West Virtual camp 2021 where I completed all the activities including a camp fire sing along on zoom & was even interviewed live online. I also attended Scouts on zoom weekly & the GOOT online competition. Since coming back face to face I have done fire lighting, orienteering, taken part in a cooking competition, helped at our Cub section, taken part in archery, paraded on Remembrance Sunday, become an Assistant Patrol Leader, hiked & visited a climbing centre. I have just over a year left of Scouts to achieve my chief Scouts Gold award, so hopefully with hard work I can achieve that.

 

Scouting has taught me so many life skills over the years, and helped with confidence.  When I’m older I would like to become a young leader then on to become a leader & teach other young people skills to help them succeed.

My Other activities
Out of School & Scouts, I am also a member of Swinton Amateur Swimming club & also play hockey for Wilmslow hockey club where I am a goalie for the under 13’s. Other than Scouting, swimming & hockey are my two favourite activities.

My Goal
My once in a lifetime adventure to South Korea will cost £3995 which includes travel, pre/post events, my World Scout Jamboree fee, my kit and equipment, preparation events and insurance. I hope to raise £2500 myself by completing a shark dive, a triathlon with my Dad and brother and also a 10k cycle ride. I will also be fundraising with my Unit, my Scout group & also on my own to help achieve this mountainous goal, hopefully with the help & support of family, friends & people who know me I can take part in this life changing adventure on the other side of the world.

My fundraising challenges

I will be taking part in a shark dive in Spring, which I have done once before for charity. I will also taking part in the Superhero para Triathlon in August as a member of Superduo (although this time there will be the 3 of us & not just my Dad & brother) so maybe now we’ll be the Super Trio! As well as hopefully taking part at the winter wonder wheels at Dorney Lake in Windsor.

 

My brother maybe disabled but my family never leave him out of fundraising challenges, and he enjoys the excitement of it all. At the superhero para triathlon he can be part of the team! Me & my Dad will be towing him while swimming, we will be running while pushing him in his adapted buggy & then we will be cycling while towing him, so my brother gets to be involved in every step of the challenge. My Dad & brother are my heroes and have always raised money for charity & this year my Dad has said as long as I join them they will attempt to raise money for my “Go fund me” for me to travel & attend The World Scout Jamboree.

 

Thankyou for reading and hopefully donating towards my adventure.

 

 

Harrison