Member Article

Chandler’s Ford Scouts embark on unique ‘Great Woggle JOGLE’ to raise funds for new Scout HQ and for Children in Need

An intrepid group of 1st Chandler’s Ford scouts, including members as young as nine and eleven years-old, are embarking on ‘The Great Woggle JOGLE’ to raise more than £50,000 towards a new Scout HQ and for BBC Children in Need.

The team is aiming to walk and cycle more than 1710km from John O’Groats to Lands’ End (JOGLE), a demanding journey that will feature 19,000 metres of ascent – the equivalent of climbing Everest twice.

Leaving on Sunday July 9th, the challenge is a real family affair with Scout Leaders Jennie and Phil Evans joined by their son Ollie (9) and daughter Hattie (11), as well as fellow scouts Bethan Wilby (14) and James Tyler and Cara Patient (both 18).

It is expected to take 60 consecutive days to complete, with about 4-5 hours of travel planned each day.

Members of other Scout and Guide groups will join throughout, with lots of other people and organisations offering overnight accommodation with the team set to stop at campsites, a nature reserve, a mountain rescue hut and even at community fire stations.

“We have never done anything like this before and none of us are athletes or even in peak physical condition, so this is an extreme adventure for us,” explained Jennie, who is a Consultant Paediatrician working in the NHS.

“However, we are doing this for two important causes – BBC Children in Need and #BrickfieldsBigBuild - and to inspire other young people across the country that they can do anything they aspire to achieve!”

“Along the way we are inviting Scouts, Guides, and families from across the country to join us for as much or as little as they are able. We hope to meet and share our adventure with as many people as possible.”

#BrickfieldsBigBuild is one of the largest projects ever attempted by the 1st Chandler’s Ford Scout Group and will involve rebuilding its current dilapidated Scout hut in Eastleigh that was erected on their site in 1965.

Organisers are hoping to replace the current building with an eco-friendly, modern Scout HQ and Community Hub, incorporating a large hall, meeting spaces, a community café, a sensory room, an indoor archery range and a climbing centre that can be used by local people.

Phil, who is a Consultant Nurse in his full-time day job, went on to add: “We’ve set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £50,000, which will give the #BrickfieldsBigBuild a massive boost.

“Commemorative badges, woggles and neckers are being sold at our Great Woggle JOGLE online shop, whilst individuals and companies wanting to sponsor this epic adventure can visit https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/noJ3R

“I’ve done lots of research and I can’t find another group of Scouts – covering Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Young Leaders - that have attempted the actual walk/cycle from John O’Groats to Lands’ End. There’s a few that have done a similar distance as a relay around their scout huts or local areas, but none that have covered the terrain and steep hills.”

You can follow “The Great Woggle JOGLE’ across their social media channels and on YouTube using @wogglejogle

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .