Staindrop Scouts win special prize for their work helping people with sight issues

STAINDROP Scouts have been awarded the first National Scout award for “community impact”.
The award ceremony took place at the University of Warwick and included speeches from celebrity Scout ambassador Steve Backshall.
The 1st Staindrop Scouts walked away with a first prize for their efforts in trying to support people with sight disabilities.
The Scouts decided to take action to make their community more accessible to people with eyesight difficulties last year. They made their new hut more disability friendly, left notes on cars parked incorrectly across their town, filmed a video to promote a petition which has been viewed over 25,000 times, and wrote to the Prime Minister who then invited them to Downing Street. 
The petition caught the attention of MP Helen Goodman, who wanted to show her support by joining them on a blindfold walk around town to experience the issue. The Cubs’ next challenge is to take over a radio station to spread the word about their campaign.
The 1st Staindrop has more than 95 members aged between six and 25 and are supported by volunteers who dedicate their time to bring the young people of Teesdale fun, adventure and skills for life.
Group Scout Leader Jacqui Nicholson said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Scouts to be a part of the first ever National Scout awards ceremony – it’s something that I’m sure they’ll never forget.
“We’re always trying to encourage more young people and adult volunteers to join our thriving programme as we’ve seen the incredible things it’s done to these young people’s lives.”