Michael Fabricant met the Lichfield Scouts – Lichfield to Paris cycle team on Saturday 10th May. Their aim is to raise £5,000 towards Scouting in Lichfield. See: www.lichfieldtoparis.co.uk for details of the participants, route, and how to contribute

Jamie Russell, Explorer Scout Leader is cycling 500 miles from Lichfield Cathedral to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to raise money for the development of young people within Scouting in Lichfield. He will be joined on the ride by his father, Paul, his uncle, Peter Ellis and by friends Oliver Silk and Dave Taylor. He will be supported by his mother Pat Russell (District Scouts Chair) and Luke Hundleby.

The funds raised will support three major international Scouting events which Lichfield District are proud to be part of – The Kenya Project (www.thekenyaproject.org.uk), The 23rd World Scout Jamboree Japan 2015 (www.23wsj.jp) and The Kandersteg Adventure 2014.

Jamie Russell says: “Part of Baden-Powell’s legacy envisaged a world where young people of all backgrounds could meet new people, learn different cultures and make a positive impact in our community. Scouting in Lichfield embraces principles such as these and gives young people amazing opportunities many could only wish for. Setting off from Lichfield Cathedral on Saturday 17th May to start the Lichfield to Paris Cycle gives me the chance to inspire the next generation, just as my leaders did when I was a Scout. I am proud to be part of Scouting in Lichfield with the aim to help make Scouting a worldwide movement that is growing, inclusive and shaped by young people.”

And Michael says: “It was great to meet Jamie and the team and have a go on one of the bikes. It’s great to see them playing an active rôle in raising funds for Scouting which is very popular, and rightly so, in Lichfield District. I wish them a safe journey from Lichfield Cathedral to Notre Dame in Paris and will be following their adventures on their website: www.lichfieldtoparis.co.uk”

The Kenya Project is a County organised event in which over 120 young people across Staffordshire will be going to Kenya over a three year period to build a new home for orphan children, abandoned on the streets of Mombasa. As a leader Jamie had the privilege of being part of the first contingent of Scouts in 2013 to start the build.

The 23rd World Scout Jamboree held in Japan is a gathering of tens of thousands of Scouts and Guides from almost every country in the world who, for ten days live together, experience each other’s cultures, take part in exciting activities and have an amazing adventure. The funds raised would not only allow our young people from Lichfield the opportunity of a lifetime, but fund a young person in a less developed country to attend.

Kandersteg Adventure 2014 will be the first opportunity of many younger Scouts in Lichfield to experience International Scouting at the first permanent International Meeting place that Robert Baden-Powell had in mind where Scouts from all over the world could meet.

The 2 photograps show Jamie Russell next to Michael Fabricant.