{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"","standfirst":"We\u2019re thrilled to announce explorer, mountaineer and inspirational speaker, Saray Khumalo as our newest Scout Ambassador. Saray is the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest, and to stand at the South Pole.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/11494/img_0926.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EBorn in Zambia, Saray has carved an international reputation as both a mountaineer and champion for young people\u2019s education. She made four attempts to summit Everest, being successful on her fourth attempt in May 2019. Previous expeditions were thwarted by avalanches, earthquakes and poor weather.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShe has explored across the world and climbed several of the world\u2019s highest mountains. Committed to conservation and education, particularly for girls and women from deprived backgrounds, she encourages young people to \u2018find their own Everest.\u2019 Saray is a Nelson Mandela Libraries Ambassador and has raised over \u00A350,000 to build four libraries in South Africa. Balancing her adventures and charity work with her role as business executive and mother she put her success down to prioritising what\u2019s important.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Through my climbing, I have been raising funds and building libraries for underprivileged schools,\u2019 says Saray. \u2018This is because I am passionate about changing the narrative for the next generation through education. The power is in our hands to leave the world better for the next generation. This is why I am honoured to support the Scouts, which is one of the oldest organisations for young people and supports the development of youth academic skills, citizenship skills and ultimately has a positive impact on their adult lives.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI am humbled by the opportunity and look forward to learning from each and every one of you and sharing my journey as well as experiences along the way in the African spirit of ubuntu.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/11493/img_1629-1.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHelping lead our #RaceRoundTheWorld \u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re also so pleased that Saray has taken up the challenge of being one of our team captains for our epic #RaceRoundTheWorld. Saray joins Ed Stafford to lead the Scouts (10-14 year age range) and will be with them every step of the way. \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 title=\u0022Race round the World\u0022\u003EFind out how you can travel round the world with Saray\u003C/a\u003E and raise funds for Scout groups struggling in these tough times.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ESaray\u003C/span\u003E has already supported Scouts this year with a message for The Great Indoors Weekender in July when she spoke with young people:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Last year I became the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest - after several attempts: four to be specific. You know, I would encourage you all\u00A0to find your own Everest, whatever that is \u2013 you know, it may be homework; it may be the art project that you are putting away and thinking is impossible. It\u2019s very much possible if you try, try and try again, it\u2019s possible. With great determination, resilience and belief in yourself, anything, absolutely anything is possible.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGot a question for Saray? Join our Facebook Live \u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESaray will be speaking with Scouts at a special Facebook Live at 6pm on 21 October. If you\u2019ve got a question about her adventures or work supporting young people, \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.facebook.com/scoutassociation\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Etune in and ask Saray directly\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHave a watch below to see Bear Grylls\u2019 special welcome to our newest Scout Ambassador.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"value":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/UQgjTOX0OWw?feature=oembed","gridType":"embed","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass"},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Read more about our Scout Ambassadors","buttonLink":{"name":"Scout Ambassadors","id":null,"url":"/about-us/our-people/scout-ambassadors/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"490499","label":"490499"},"alignment":"left"}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 October 2020","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":48589,"nodeName":"Everest summiteer, Saray Khumalo, becomes new Scout Ambassador","title":"Everest summiteer, Saray Khumalo, becomes new Scout Ambassador","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/11493/img_1629-1.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd12bb2cd0","caption":"IMG 1629 (1)","type":"jpg","size":2673270,"width":4032,"height":3024,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Everest summiteer, Saray Khumalo, becomes new Scout Ambassador","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u2019re thrilled to announce explorer, mountaineer and inspirational speaker, Saray Khumalo as our newest Scout Ambassador.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODU4OSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/october/everest-summiteer-saray-khumalo-becomes-new-scout-ambassador/"}