SCOUTS are running, swimming and hiking the distance to Poland on a fundraising mission.
A group of 36 youngsters from Solihull and Coventry have joined forces to raise the funds for them to attend an international camp – the World Scout Jamboree – next summer along side 45,000 14 to 18 year-olds from 150 countries.
The ‘SoliCov Unit 69’ will be part of the 3,000 youngsters from the UK at the event.
And each member has been tasked to raise £4,000 – a whopping £144,000 in total.
In order to help raise funds to be able to attend, the group are planning to hike, run and swim from Solihull to Gdansk in Poland during 2026, a distance of more than 1,000 miles.
The group started their campaign with braving the cold and rain during a night hike starting at Solihull Riding Club to gain the first miles owards their separate 1,219 mile land route target.
A pair of swimmers, one from Solihull and one from Coventry are planning on covering 775 nautical miles (892 miles) – the distance from Felixstowe to Gdansk – virtually in a swimming pool.
There are also plans for Parkruns and other 5km/10km running events throughout the year as well.
The group also have a fundraising abseil in July with members of the group abseiling off Brindley Place in Birmingham and a number of festivals like Balsall Common’s festival in June, and things like craft fairs and barn dances and raffles to help boost coffers.
Stewart Beck, from the SoliCov Unit 69 said: “This is all about young people getting together to do something healthy, positive and outdoors, in pursuit of a goal to attend a globally significant cultural event.”
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