Over 80 inspirational Welsh ScoutCymru volunteers are set to receive the organisation’s highest national honours thanks to their “perseverance, dedication, and commitment” to uniting communities.
Scouts from Caerphilly, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea, Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham are among 82 highly achieving members who are set to be recognised as part of this year’s Good Service Awards celebration.
The event, which traditionally takes place in Windsor on St George’s Day with Chief Scout Bear Grylls OBE in attendance, sees prestigious awards including The Silver Wolf, The Silver Acorn, and Bar to the Silver Acorn handed out.
With this year’s celebration cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, members will be receiving their awards throughout the year from their local Scouting organisations.
Among those to receive Scouting’s highest awards this year are Claudia Currie, Deputy District Commissioner for Cardiff North; Ian Stephens of 25th Cardiff Cub Scouts; Lucien Boudier and Phillip Perks of Penarth and District Explorer Scouts, Susan Evans of 15th Barry Scouts, Jenni Aazem of 44th Sketty, David Jenkins, Area Appointments Chairman in Pembrokeshire, Bernard Gravill, Group Skills Instructor at Pen-y-Ffordd, Colleen Graham of 6thWrexham, John Heaps and Monika Gravill of Flintshire, and Philip Bentley of 1st Rossett who will receive the Silver Acorn, an accolade which is given after at least 20 years’ distinguished service.
While David Burton, the Assistant Section Leader for Wrexham Explorer Scouts, will receive the Bar to the Silver Acorn, which is awarded after The Silver Acorn and following an additional five years’ exceptional service.
The Welsh recipients were among Scouts nationally to receive prestigious awards celebrating their achievements across Scouting throughout the past year.
Chief Commissioner of Wales Rhian Moore congratulated all the “outstanding” volunteers who were recognised this year.
She said: “This year, once again, our volunteers have shown exceptional perseverance, dedication, and commitment to Scouting in Wales and we are incredibly proud of them.
“They have gone above and beyond to unite and support communities, and ensure young people develop invaluable skills for life which help them succeed now and in the future.
“These exemplary individuals enable over 15,000 young girls and boys to explore the outdoors, enjoy fun and adventure, and grow in confidence every year.
“Thanks to the support of these volunteers, we are creating stronger communities in Wales and inspiring positive futures for the people of Wales.
“Now more than ever, these dedicated volunteers are vital for uniting, inspiring and motivating Wales’s youth at a time when we cannot be together. We’d like to thank them for their truly remarkable commitment, and we look forward to celebrating with them in person in the near future.”
Welsh award recipients have supported over 15,000 young people in Wales to gain skills for life through ScoutsCymru in the past 12 months.
The organisation is open to all young people in Wales regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation, race or social background, and encourages its members to do more, learn more and be more
On the outstanding achievements of this year’s award winners, Chief Scout Mr Grylls said it was “vital that we recognise those that have truly shone”.
He said: “It’s so important that we thank and recognise our fellow Scouts for their incredible service. These are the shining lights who make Scouts possible. Most of us in Scouts look for, and expect, no reward. But a timely word of thanks is always appreciated and can work wonders.
“Our Good Service Awards are on opportunity to make that occasional ‘thank you’ even more special. They’re for those special volunteers who, over time, you find yourself thanking more frequently.
“I also love the fact we celebrate those young people and adults who show courage in adversity and quick thinking in the face of danger. While we can’t recognise everyone every year – it’s vital we recognise those who have truly shone and I’m sure the awards listed mean the world to those outstanding people and their families.”
