A group of four teenagers from the Viking Explorers group have been hard at work raising funds for their expedition to Gambia next year. In July 2024 the British Hornchurch District Scouts will be travelling to Basse Santa Su in the Upper River Region of The Gambia. This area is on the east side of the country, far from the capital and tourist beaches.

The team of 40 is going from the Hornchurch Scout District. There have been previous expeditions in 2014 and 2018 to improve Scouting in the Upper River Region of The Gambia and to facilitate joint projects between explorer Scout Units and the Scout Network in the Hornchurch District.

In 2014 the expedition installed solar power to provide lighting at night to a maternity ward in the community hospital. Previously when the mother was due to give birth at night the family were asked to bring candles with them to light the birth. This was enhanced by the team on the 2018 trip, who renovated the entire maternity ward with power and beds.

Each of the team going are expected to fundraise to enable the Explorers and Networkers attending to purchase tools, equipment and materials for projects.

So far this year, the four from Viking Explorers – Samuel, Evie, Sonny and Eddie – have run games and activities at the Squirrels Heath schools summer fete (they raised £207 from this); they took part in a car boot sale (raising just under £300); organised a quiz night held at Arnaud Lodge in Hornchurch with snacks and a raffle (this raised just under £800) and sold glow items and s’mores at the 2nd Squirrels Heath Scouts fireworks night (raising £220). Separately Samuel organised a keep fit event which raised £270.

Samuel, 15 years old from Viking Explorers, said: “This expedition will allow us to improve facilities for the Gambian Scouts and the local community. Any contributions will be massively appreciated and will enable us to purchase tools, equipment and materials for projects we will carry out. I am so proud to be accepted to go to Gambia in 2024. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about a new culture, their traditions and way of life. Thank you to everyone who has supported and donated at the fundraising events we have organised.”