{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"Anastacia Jones received an Unsung Hero Award for helping an Explorer in trouble ","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003E19-year-old Anastacia was one of the amazing young people who received a Chief Scout\u2019s Unsung Hero Award in 2026.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW104556559 BCX0\u0022\u003EOn a Scout adventure to Switzerland, the former Explorer from Leagrave Scout Group kept calm and carried out first aid on a young person who lost consciousness in the water.\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/vpllss4l/db-260515-dsc_7816-1.jpg","width":4000,"height":2667,"altText":"Explorer Scout Anastacia Jones received an Unsung Hero Award","caption":"Anastacia received a Chief Scout\u0027s Unsung Hero Award","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe young person made a full recovery and Anastacia has received the recognition she deserves.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EAnastacia, who hopes to become a doctor, tells us her story:\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EI was 12 years old when I joined Scouts and it completely changed my life.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EI was a quiet kid who had trouble making friends, so I looked forward to Wednesday evenings when I could be myself without judgement.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EBeing a Scout has given me confidence I never had before. I\u2019ve gained skills, made amazing friends and even met my first partner at Explorers.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW134255848 BCX0\u0022\u003EIt was a treat for me to join the Explorer Scouts 2025 International Trip to Kandersteg, Switzerland. We camped at a place called Canvas Park and among the activities was a trip to Lake Oeschinensee.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/3d4ds4vt/db-260515-dsc_5108.jpg","width":4000,"height":2667,"altText":"Anastacia receives an Unsung Hero Award from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields","caption":"Chief Scout Dwayne Fields presented the award","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003EOne minute we were paddling around and the next, I saw an Explorer jump into the lake and stop moving. I thought he was playing a joke but quickly realised he wasn\u2019t responding.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003EI was the closest person to him, so I swam over, turned him onto his back and pulled him to shore. I moved him into the recovery position and asked some Explorers to call an ambulance and put towels under his head.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003EAnother Explorer called our District Leader and I stayed with the young person.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003EIt all happened so quickly I didn\u2019t have time to panic or feel scared. I had first aid experience as a Lifeguard and refreshed my Scouts Emergency Aid Badge plenty of times, but I never thought I\u2019d have to use it.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW66430755 BCX0\u0022\u003EAt Scouts you start learning Emergency Aid at Squirrels and carry on into adulthood at Network and as a volunteer. It\u2019s so important that young people have these skills if someone\u2019s in trouble. You never know when you might need them.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/o0xpuhin/db-260515-dsc_7775.jpg","width":4000,"height":2667,"altText":"Anastacia Jones and her dad, Gray, at the Unsung Hero Awards","caption":"Anastacia\u0027s parents are incredibly proud","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EI was so relieved when the young person opened his eyes. I felt guilty that I couldn\u2019t do more, but it was up to the professionals to take him to hospital and make sure he was ok. Thankfully he made a quick recovery.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EI never expected to earn an Unsung Hero Award for what I did. I didn\u2019t think I deserved it \u2013 wouldn\u2019t you do the same thing if you saw someone in trouble?\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EThe awards day was so fun. I met so many young people who\u2019d achieved amazing things and still have my certificate with Dwayne Fields\u2019 autograph pinned to the fridge.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EWhen I\u2019ve finished my Biomedical Science degree in Hull I\u2019d like to work in healthcare so a postgraduate degree in medicine and a doctorate is my goal.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EIf you\u2019re a young person who\u2019s interested in Scouts, go for it. Lots of people worry that they won\u2019t fit in but I promise you, Scouts is a place to belong.\u003C/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022OutlineElement Ltr SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022Paragraph SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022NormalTextRun SCXW12100419 BCX0\u0022\u003EEven though I\u2019m carrying on with my education, I volunteer with my local Scouts group as much as I can. I love supporting young people to have as much fun and fantastic experiences as I did.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003C/div\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"12 September 2026","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":91120,"nodeName":"Meet the Scout who saved a life","title":"Meet the Scout who saved a life","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/vpllss4l/db-260515-dsc_7816-1.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd3ed70de42850","caption":"Anastacia Jones smile","type":"jpg","size":4554513,"width":4000,"height":2667,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Meet the Scout who saved a life","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Anastacia Jones received an Unsung Hero Award for helping an Explorer in trouble.","browserTitle":"Meet the Scout who saved a life","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC85MTEyMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/september/meet-the-scout-who-saved-a-life/"}