Darwen trio need help to make it to the Scout Korean Jamboree

Kaitlyn Smith, 14, Loklan Hughes, 16, and Zach Shipstone, 15, have been selected to represent Darwen at the global Scout Jamboree to be held in South Korea during 2023.

The Korean Jamboree will be largest Scout camp to be held since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic - but for the trio to go they need the financial support of the local community.

Kaitlyn, Loklan and Zach are some of 3,240 young people that have been selected from the UK to join 50,000 young people taking part in the World Scout Jamboree.

The Jamboree is a skills, cultural and adventure festival happening in sensational and scenic South Korea.

In the summer of 2023 they will be meeting thousands of Scouts from nearly every country in the world – sharing their skills.

But to reach Korea, the trio need to raise £4,000 each, a total of £12,000 together.

They are half way through their target and continue to fundraise anyway they can to reach their deadline of June 2023.

Kaitlyn said: "I personally am looking forward to meeting new people and improving on my language skills.

"I know for most if not all of us our motivation is how amazing it will be over there and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, we will remember our experience forever, and are very lucky to have been selected.

"After selection it takes a lot of hard work to get there having to raise £4,000 each but it will all be worth it in the end."

Natalie Bannister, 40, Kaitlyn's mum said she is really proud of her daughter.

She said: "Recently Kaitlyn had a diagnosis of dyspraxia and when she went to the selection weekend, I said to her don't be upset if you don't get chosen because she struggles with motor skills.

"She was chosen and we were all a little bit shocked.

"For Kaitlyn if you see her journey from when they first got selected, she is on the outskirts on her own in pictures and now they have been to London and she is right in the middle of the group and has developed some really good friendships and her confidence is coming on leaps and bounds.

"The scouts have massively helped her mental health and wellbeing and it continues to build her up. I'm so proud of her."

The World Scout Jamboree offers young people the chance to learn new skills that they can use in other aspects of their life as well as campaign for change on key world issues that matter to them.

The World Scout Jamboree will be the culmination of 18 months’ work for the young people and their volunteer leaders, who together are called the UK Contingent.

Between now and July 2023 they will attend training camps and team building events preparing them for living on the hot and humid site in Saemangeum, 120 miles south fo Seoul.

The Korean hosts of the Jamboree have challenged participants to “Draw your Dream” and as part of their Jamboree journey they will have the opportunity to discover new cultures and take part in activities focusing on the environment, skills development and global development issues.

UK Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: "Congratulations to all those who have been selected to go on this amazing adventure!

"World Scout Jamborees only happen every four years and tens of thousands of Scouts from across the world attend each one.

"Young people will experience different cultures, languages and cuisine while learning new skills.

"After two very difficult years, it is so important that these young people have this opportunity.

"The 2023 Jamboree, hosted by Korea, is set to be one of the biggest and most exciting yet.

"The theme is 'Think big. Dream wild. Act together.' – focusing especially on how we can be trailblazers in creating a sustainable world together."

As part of their fundraising efforts, the group will be hosting a Quiz Night on Saturday, November 12, from 7.30pm to 11.30pm at Darwen Cricket Club.

Tickets are £5 per person including games, prizes and a pasty supper.

If you would like to help the trio make it to Korea, you can visit their Go Fund Me page by clicking here.