FOUR Workington scouts who have all been part of the organisation since they were children have attended a special ceremony - gaining the highest possible award for a scout of their age.
Brother and sister Brad and Emma Knowles attended a special ceremony at Windsor Castle, alongside Hamish Smeaton and Jack Bingham where they received their King Scout Awards - becoming four of only 10 Cumbrians to receive the honour in the last 80 years, being invited down to Windsor Castle to receive their accolades from the Chief Scout Bear Grylls.
The scouts have all been part of the same group, St John's Scout and Guides, since the age of six. They are now part of the adult leadership section in the organisation.
To gain the King Scout Award the group had to go through a gruelling process which included gaining their gold Duke of Edinburgh qualifications and taking part in a whole host of community work.
Speaking about the process carried out to get the award, Brad said: "To achieve the King Scout award we first had to achieve our Gold Duke of Edinburgh, which entailed volunteering, progressing a skills and physical exercise every week for a year to 18 months, as well as completing a residential with unfamiliar people such as NCS and a four day expedition in the Yorkshire Dales.
"Once we had achieved our Gold Duke of Edinburgh it was into the next steps to completing the King Scout Award. To do this we camped for at least 18 nights, undertaken voluntary work, helped within the local community and held international themed events within the local scouting groups of all ages."
Following completion of the award, the group were invited to receive their accolade from the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria in September 2024 and then to Windsor Castle on April 21, with other award holders from around the country.
The award winners were addressed by Lord Left Lieutenant of Berkshire, Bear Grylls (Chief Scout), Dame Ann Limb and other Scout ambassadors such as actor Warwick Davies and swimmer Ellie Simmons.
Speaking about gaining the award, Brad said: "As now leaders of the scouting sections we look forward to seeing our current Scouts achieve this award in the future."
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