A Cumbrian Scouts volunteer was invited to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace to honour his dedication to the organisation.
Eddie Ward, lead volunteer for Cumbria Scouts, attended the event, which was held to recognise people’s contribution to education and skills.
Eddie said: “I was extremely honoured to be invited to the King’s garden party. His Majesty, as our patron, knows that through Scouting our young people have fun, whilst gaining important skills for life; and it’s great for our volunteers too.
“I’ve been a volunteer with Cumbria Scouts my entire adult life and it has provided me with so many opportunities and experiences that have helped build me and help me in my working life. We get to have fun too!”
The organisation is appealing for more people to come forward to help lead the organisation in Cumbria.
A recent event in Carlisle saw Scout volunteers from across Cumbria deliver free archery sessions for the public, offering a fun and hands-on insight into Scouting.
As part of a national push, Cumbria Scouts are supporting The Scout Association’s 35 Hours Volunteer Leave campaign, which calls on employers to offer at least 35 hours of paid volunteer leave each year – enabling more people to give back to their communities without sacrificing work or income.
“Time is the biggest barrier to volunteering,” said Thomas Thorne, communications sub-team Leader for Cumbria Scouts.
“By encouraging employers to offer volunteer leave, we can unlock thousands of hours of talent, energy, and support for young people across the UK.”
With more young people than ever eager to join, there’s an urgent need for new volunteers to step up, the organisation said. Whether it’s helping once a month or getting involved every week, there’s a flexible role for everyone and no prior experience is needed.
