The 1st Bradley Stoke Beaver Scouts have been busy fundraising for Guide Dogs, one of the Scout Association’s partnered charities.
As part of their St George’s day commemorations, the Beavers were set a series of sponsored ‘Knight’s Challenges’ to complete at home. These were designed to demonstrate their core promise of “doing their best” and being “kind and helpful”, and included helping with the dishes, making their beds and getting themselves ready for school (not easy when you are only 6 or 7!).
All four Beaver colonies have also been lucky enough to have a visit from Guide Dogs planned over the next few weeks, when they will get the chance to meet the dogs and learn more about coping with blindness as part of their Disability Awareness badge. Their fundraising also links up with the new Scout Association project ‘A Million Hands’, calling on every Scout in the country to help improve the lives of those affected by disabilities.
Incredibly, the Beavers were able to raise in excess of £500 for the charity. However, the most amazing personal achievement was the effort of one young Beaver in particular, Jemima Grinter, who raised an amazing £170!
Jemima’s leader, Beena Chheda said:
“Jemima did a wonderful job with her brother Austin and sister Chloe (both in Cubs). Their Mum said that they went to each and every house on the street and contacted all their relatives to raise money for the Guide Dogs.”
Katherine Robinson, Assistant Group Scout Leader (Beavers) said:
“Our Beavers have done so well with this challenge and Jemima is the embodiment of what Scouting is all about. She thought of others before herself and her achievements will enable more of these wonderful guide dogs to be trained. We are all very proud.”
The Journal was pleased to be invited to see Jemima presented with a special medal, certificate and badge when her own colony received a visit from Annette Tadman, a local Guide Dogs puppy walker, and John Tovey, a guide dog user from Almondsbury.
Annette brought along Guilda, her new puppy, and John was accompanied by Dez, his own expert guide dog, who won the prestigious Guide Dog of the Year award in 2012.
John has written a book about how his life has been transformed through having a guide dog. Titled ‘A Dog Called Dez’, it is available from Amazon and all proceeds go to the Guide Dogs charity.
Photo: Jemima Grinter (centre) with (l-r) Donna Carl (assistant Beaver Scout leader), Annette Tadman (puppy walker for Guide Dogs, with Guilda), John Tovey (with Dez) and Beena Chheda (Beaver Scout leader).
Photo: Representatives of Guide Dogs with the 1st Bradley Stoke Beavers.
This article originally appeared in the July 2015 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
