newsletter issue 10 summer 2008

Hayes & Harlington District Scouts afloat

Hayes & Harlington District Scouts afloat Hayes and Harlington District Scouts can paddle their own canoes (and kayaks) as a result of a grant from Hillingdon Community Trust.

The £16,020 for the Scout Groups has enabled them to buy 10 kayaks and 4 canoes along with equipment and trailers so that scouts can learn the basics of watercraft and work towards their British Canoeing Union star awards. As well as benefiting cubs and scouts, guides and the newly created police cadets in the southern wards of the Borough will benefit as the equipment will be available for their use.

Scout Leader, Derek Wheeler, commented,
‘Hillingdon Community Trust’s grant means that we have been able to buy a new fleet of kayaks which are safe, easy to handle and the right size for the children. We have also been able to buy safety equipment such as air bags, and a secure storage and transport facility.’

The new kayaks will mean that training is much more professional and safer for children. During the winter training sessions will take place at Hayes Swimming Pool and in summer on the Grand Union Canal.

Christine Little, Director of HCT commented,
‘The Trust found this project attractive because kayaking and canoeing can have a big impact on personal development and personal confidence. It is a great way of offering a new challenge and we hope of encouraging more young people to engage in the activity.’