Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has awarded the leaders of the 1st Hellingly Scout Group with the Wealden Hero Award for their outstanding efforts during the pandemic.
1st Hellingly has been an active scout unit in the Hellingly parish for over 110 years, providing life changing adventures for boys and girls. Throughout the course of the pandemic, the leadership and volunteers gave up their free time to organise activities and keep the Group together. Every section leader had stayed in contact with over 140 young people and provided weekly meetings over Zoom, including virtual activities such as quizzes, mug cake making, plant growing or making fat ball bird feeders.
This provided a little piece of normal in the most challenging times and was greatly appreciated by the parents. When restrictions began to ease, 1st Hellingly Scout Group leaders jumped to the call and made sure that the meeting place was Covid-compliant and ready for the young Scouts to return in the safest way possible.
During the awards, which took place in the team’s hall in Horsebridge, Nusrat was presented with 1st Hellingly Scouts Group necker, which she is keen to showcase in Parliament when the opportunity arises.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I’m aware of how difficult the pandemic and periods of lockdown have been for our children and their parents. Outdoor educational visits are vital in delivering rounded learning experiences and building resilience and well-being of young Britain post-pandemic. The leaders and volunteers of 1st Hellingly Scout Group have shown incredible dedication and creativity throughout this difficult time, ensuring that the young people in our communities can keep making incredible memories and adventures of a lifetime. I’m pleased to crown them Wealden Heroes and I look forward to wearing the necker in Parliament soon.”
James Skinner, Group Scout Leader said: “The leaders of 1st Hellingly Scout Group had to rethink the way they delivered their programmes through the pandemic and this Award recognises the effort and determination to continue reaching our Young People and teaching them skills for life.”
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