News
17/04/2008
Year under canvas Explorer Scout hands over cheque
The 16 year old Explorer Scout from Kent who spent the entire of 2007 under canvas visited his chosen charity Demelza House, a local children's hospice, to hand over his sponsor money.
Stephen Young, a member of Quintain Explorer Scout Unit, visited the hospice to hand over a cheque for a massive £4,681.62.
His adventure attracted significant local and national media interest, which resulted in a few additional much-needed donations direct to the hospice. In an interview with BBC News, who were covering his visit, Stephen said: ‘It’s made it all worthwhile just seeing what the money is going to and what it is paying for.’
Laura Carey, Demelza House’s Fundraising Manager, was full of praise for Stephen. She said: ‘I can’t believe he did it, and to think he was studying 10 GCSE’s at the time. It’s great to know that he’s got great grades for it all, but to do all that, personally, I think he’s mad!
‘What great determination he must have had to do it it. I’m really proud and just very thankful to him for doing this.’
Towards the end of 2006 the Explorer Scouts in Stephen’s Unit agreed to do something completely different to celebrate Scouting’s Centenary. They had heard about Kent’s Tuff Enuff Challenge, where Explorer Scouts were challenged to climb 100 mountains, navigate 100 rivers and sleep out in a tent for each of the 365 nights of 2007.
Stephen and the rest of the group decided this was just what they were looking for and that they were more than ‘Tuff Enuff’. ‘I jokingly said, “I can do that all on my own!” Not realising what I was letting myself in for.’
His holidays were spent camping and even when he was completing his GCSE's he spent the night outside. His final night under canvas was New Year's Eve, which was a bit special. All 16 members of his Explorer Scout Unit slept the night together in a marquee in the back garden.
The next day, the tired and worn tent was discarded. ‘The tent’s fallen apart. It's certainly had more use than a lot of protective covers will ever see,’ Stephen said.
His mother and very proud Explorer Scout Leader, Judy Young, said, ‘I am incredibly proud of him. It was a huge challenge and a big achievement. However, next time he threatens to do something like this again, I will take him more seriously. But it's good to have him back indoors again.’
Watch Stephen's BBC News interview
