A litter picking initiative launched by the 1st Sid Vale Scout Group has been hailed a huge success.
The eco-friendly youngsters, led by nine-year-old Thomas Franklin, are pioneering two new badges called the ‘Ocean Helper’ and ‘Ocean Hero’ and began their efforts with a litter pick on their group site.
Adventurer Bear Grylls, who is also Chief Scout, has thrown his weight behind the idea describing Thomas as 'a great ambassador for the scouting movement' and 'one of our true shining lights'.
Thomas was instrumental in gaining sponsorship for his group who were supplied with their litter picking equipment and badges by Eco-Tableware company, Stroodles, and Bywaters, a leading recycling company.
The nine-year-old told those at the launch: “I am a naturalist and an environmentalist. I am passionate about doing as much as I can to help to save our planet and to encourage other people to do the same, which is why I am launching this new campaign.
“Today our Cub pack is celebrating the very beginning of a campaign to make Scouting ‘plastic clever’ and more environmentally friendly.
“To quote my hero Sir David Attenborough: ‘Surely, we all have a responsibility to care for our planet? The future of humanity, and indeed all life on earth, now depends on us.’
“With so many young people in Scouting, just think what a huge difference we can make.”
Thomas is also enthusiastically embracing the current Scouting initiative #Promisetotheplanet and would like other Scouts to take a stand and work towards a better world by taking action to reduce climate change.
East Devon Scouting District Commissioner, Nancy Craven was amongst those at the launch of the scheme
She said: “Thomas is an absolute inspiration to all of us, with his simple messages that are really clear about being ‘plastic clever’ and about ‘the sea is not a dustbin’.
“He has inspired his fellow Cubs, our leaders and people in our communities.”
Thomas’s Scout Group are keen to carry out future litter picks around the town and on the beach to earn their blanket badges.
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