£5,000 boost for Rochdale scouts South Korean trip of a lifetime

The Hollingworth Academy pupils have received a boost to their fundraising. (Left to right: James Wilkinson-Knaggs, Harrison Crowther, George Thewlis, Oliver Thewlis and Harvey Ogden)

Five scouts from Rochdale will be heading off on the trip of a lifetime along with 40,000 others from across the world next year thanks to financial support from Rochdale Borough Council’s Pennines Township committee.

Hollingworth Academy pupils George Thewlis (15), Oliver Thewlis (12), Harvey Ogden (15), James Wilkinson (14) and Harrison Crowther (14) have been selected to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea in August 2023 as part of the UK contingent.

The Jamboree is a skills, cultural and adventure festival involving scouts from around the globe and sees them sharing skills. The boys were chosen after completing activities and challenges to demonstrate their skills and qualities in teamwork, leadership, resilience, ingenuity and kindness.

With the trip and training camps they need to attend during the build up costing £4,000 each they are busy raising money by fundraising locally but they recently received a welcome boost with confirmation that the council has awarded them £1,000 each. The boys are already well over half way to raising the remaining £3,000 each but in the event that they don’t quite meet the target, Pennines Township confirmed they would meet the shortfall.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation said it was a fantastic opportunity for them: “The committee were very proud to support these five ambitious youngsters on their journey. When they return they will be making sure younger scouts and the wider community can all benefit from their experience. We hope the financial support will provide them with a boost to their fundraising and I encourage anyone wanting to support our scouts to get to the Jamboree to get in touch with them.”

If you can help the scouts with their fundraising, email Frances Thewlis (George and Oliver’s mum) on Frances-thewlis@hotmail.com. You can find out more about the World Scout Jamboree at www.scouts.org.uk/wsj