{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"Deputy UK Chief Commissioner Kester Sharpe introduces our biggest ever fundraiser to help the 500\u002B Scout Groups hit hardest by the pandemic.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWhat a year. We\u2019ve had more ups and downs than an Alton Towers\u2019 rollercoaster (and no, I\u2019m not a big fan \u2013 they make me feel quite queasy these days).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve had to adapt and change the way we do things, constantly trying new approaches.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut through it all, I\u2019ve been so proud of the way we\u2019ve shown our values \u2013 proving how much we care and how well we can work together, even when we\u2019re apart. As Scouts, when we see a challenge, we tackle it head on. That\u2019s what we did when the pandemic first struck and we\u2019re still doing it now.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI watched in awe as the total rose for #HikeToTheMoon and we helped communities who needed it most. I was wowed by the sheer number of you who camped at home; who took part in our #TGIWeekender and first ever online Reunion. You don\u2019t need to tell me how incredible our movement is or how it rises to a challenge. We proved it to the whole world.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENow we\u2019re asking for one more massive effort, for something really close to home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy groups need our help\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECOVID-19 has had a devastating impact on communities, and Scout groups haven\u2019t escaped this. I\u2019ve seen first-hand how upset and unsettled young people have been missing out on face-to-face meetings.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EI know, from experiences within my own group as an Assistant Group Scout Leader, how tough it\u2019s been keeping our groups going when money\u2019s tight and we\u2019re short on volunteers. Over 500 of our Scout Groups, made vulnerable by the pandemic, are now facing closure. Many of these were already struggling before the virus struck; the pandemic has made things much worse.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey\u2019re struggling to pay their rent. Some parents who might be out of work or have been furloughed can\u2019t afford the subs. We\u2019re not talking huge sums of money \u2013 but if groups are running on a shoestring, a few pounds can make the difference between staying open and closing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf these groups close, that\u2019s not just a tragedy for the community, it\u2019s a tragedy for the young people who\u2019d miss out on the friendship, experiences and skills they need for the future. If these groups close, then a door closes on these young people \u2013 impacting their mental wellbeing as well as their prospects in an uncertain world.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut together, we can stop this.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnnouncing our #RaceRoundTheWorld\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn 29 October, we\u2019re launching \u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 title=\u0022Race round the World\u0022\u003E#RaceRoundTheWorld\u003C/a\u003E. It\u2019s an epic challenge for our whole movement to rally round and raise funds to support groups who need it most.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd the best thing about it, is that it\u2019s easy. Here\u2019s how it works:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETravel a mile or more, wherever you are and however you like\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGet sponsored for it\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELog your miles (and help your team get all the way round the world!)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETag us on social media to show us how you\u2019re doing (and help spread the word far and wide!)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve got four teams, each led by two of our brilliant ambassadors.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBeavers \u2013 led by Ellie Simmonds and Tim Peake\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECubs \u2013 led by Helen Glover and Steve Backshall\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EScouts \u2013 led by Ed Stafford and Saray Khumalo (our brilliant new ambassador)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExplorers and Network \u002B - led by Dwayne Fields and Megan Hine\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/11457/team-lock-up.jpg","width":1920,"height":1020,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EWe\u2019d like all young people to have the chance to get involved\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0and volunteers and parents can join in too, of course. If you\u2019re a Beaver Scout Leader, or the parent of a Beaver Scout, then your miles will be added to Team Beavers. All volunteers not in a section role will be racing to support the Explorers and Network \u002B team.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EOn 29 October,\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EChief Scout\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0Bear Grylls will officially start the race\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0and\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ewe\u2019ll share the links where you can sign up \u2013 either as a section\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0within your Group\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0or as an individual. This is something that can be done either at home or during a meeting.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBrilliant programme support\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003ET\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ehis has\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ealso\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ebeen a year when so man\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ey of us have been unable to trav\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eel and see the world. Jamborees\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ehave been cancelled, as have\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ee\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Expeditions\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E. That\u2019s why we wanted to gi\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eve our race\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ea global theme. And to help bring this to life, we\u2019ve put together some brilliant new international activit\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ei\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ees that will help young people learn about new countries and\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ecultures\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0and\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0gain their badges and awards.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EThese activities include ideas that can be done at socially distanced meetings\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0or delivered as part of an online meeting.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EWhen the race begins, you\u2019ll be able to see your route round the world on a digital map on the #RaceRoundTheWorld homepage. Then, as the miles mount up, you\u2019ll be able to track your team\u2019s progress on a digital map and see which countries you\u2019ve got to. The programme ideas will relate to the countries you\u2019re passing through.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShiny new badges!\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EOh, yes,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0there will b\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Ee new badges\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0too\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0(\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003EI love a badge as much as the next Scout!)\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0It\u2019s my absolute pleasure to reveal\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u2013\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u00A0for the first time ever\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u2013\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/accessories/race-round-the-world\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003Eour official #RaceRoundTheWorld badge\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E,\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-contrast=\u0022auto\u0022\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://shop.scouts.org.uk/accessories/race-round-the-world\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u00A0as well as our team badges.\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-ccp-props=\u0022{\u0026quot;201341983\u0026quot;:0,\u0026quot;335559739\u0026quot;:160,\u0026quot;335559740\u0026quot;:259}\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/11422/badge-lock-up-sample.jpg","width":1920,"height":1020,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAny young person or adult who takes part can earn of these. Every penny from the badges sales will be added to the grand total and used to support groups who need our help most. We\u2019ll soon be sharing information about how the funds will be distributed on our #RaceRoundTheWorld pages.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of the race, there\u2019ll be team and individual awards too \u2013 for the most miles travelled, best team spirit and biggest fundraisers and so on. See our pages for more details.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut regardless of which team gets round the world first, the real winners will be the groups that can stay open and the young people who\u2019ll be able to keep on enjoying all that Scouts has to offer.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESo, please join me on the starting line!\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat I\u2019d like to you to do next\u2026\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELook out for the email on 29 October when the race begins\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESign up as an individual or as a section\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETell your young people about the race and encourage them to sign up, too\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETravel your mile or more\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPlan in a session between now and 12 December to do one of the #RaceRoundTheWorld programme activities\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThank you to each and every one of you \u2013 you really are incredible. And yes, let\u2019s say it again\u2026\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhat a year.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022#\u0022 title=\u0022Race round the World\u0022\u003Escouts.org.uk/raceroundtheworld\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 October 2020","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":48587,"nodeName":"Get ready for our #RaceRoundTheWorld","title":"Get ready for our #RaceRoundTheWorld  ","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/11458/home-banner-1154-x-577px-1.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf885a50ccfb0","caption":"Race round the world badges","type":"png","size":203052,"width":1154,"height":577,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Get ready for our #RaceRoundTheWorld  ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u0027re racing in teams, led by our amazing ambassadors, to help over 500 of our Scout Groups who\u2019ve been worst hit by the pandemic.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODU4NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/october/get-ready-for-our-raceroundtheworld/"}