Bear Grylls congratulates Sussex Scouts in Brighton

By Ceirney Eddie

Bear Grylls, Chief Scout and international adventurer, joined 1,000 young people this afternoon (Saturday 10th) to celebrate the Scout Association’s success in Sussex.

He arrived in a helicopter at Longhill High School and was swarmed by hundreds of excited local Scouts before he gave an introductory speech.

Bear said: “We are part of something really special; a group of almost 30 million Scouts around the world.

“I like to think we are undoubtedly the greatest youth movement on the planet.”

Several Scouts were chosen to walk the rope, hit coconut shies and have selfies with the explorer.

Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Denise Cobb, also attended the event and had photos with Bear Grylls.

One young Scout, Dan Markenday, said: “The brilliance of Bear in the Air is that every Scout can see the Chief Scout, which people wouldn’t have dreamt of when Baden Powell was leader.”

Grylls’ visit to Brighton marks the end of his fifth year as Chief Scout for the UK and the final leg of his Bear in the Air challenge.

There are over half a million Scouts in Britain, with nearly 10,000 young people from across the South East still on the waiting list to become a member.

Drew Baker, Explorer Scouts leader in Rottingdean, urges more adult volunteers and leaders to facilitate activities for the Scouts.

He added: “Scouting guidelines say that if adults can give up an hour a week, the Scout Association would be more than happy to speak to you about volunteering.”

Bear also exclusively told Latest News that he will be filming a new series for NBC in America next week, taking superstars away on great adventures.