Scout raising cash for trip of a lifetime to Japan
FIFTEEN-year-old Abi Bishop of Newlands, Bettyhill, is one of a handful of far north Scouts selected to take part in next year’s World Scout Jamboree.
The event, held every four years, will be staged in Japan and, when Abi arrives in Tokyo together with one scout each from Shetland and Lewis and two from Aviemore, their Highlands and Islands group will join 30,000 like-minded individuals representing all but four of the 196 countries in the world.
After visiting that great metropolis, the scouts will move on to Hiroshima where the 70th anniversary of the use of the first atomic weapon will be commemorated, before moving on to the main jamboree venue at Yamaguchi City near the southern tip of Honshu.
Abi started scouting as a cub in Thurso at the age of eight and has now graduated to the Explorer Scout level, gaining numerous badges along the way including top grade ones in swimming and first aid.
A fourth-year student at Farr High, she is currently studying towards Highers in biology, geography, maths, English and French and, while that will remain her prime focus, will also be making a considerable personal effort to raise the £3300 cost of her scouting trip of a lifetime.
She hopes this effort will include seasonal employment and is also planning a sponsored walk with some friends along routes she has followed in her school’s outdoor activities programme.
Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council has also given her a small step up in her funding with a £100 cheque which was presented to her on Monday by council chairwoman Sandra Munro, with the proviso she will report on her experiences to the council when she returns.
Anyone who can help with Abi’s fundraising should contact her at sunnyabi5@hotmail.co.uk