FOUR lucky scouts are preparing to travel across the globe to represent Knutsford at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

Harry Sanger, Max Davies, Grace Haselden and Catherine Eadie went through a rigorous selection process to be chosen as the Knutsford Scouts representatives for the 2015 event in Yamaguchi City.

The foursome, all aged between 14-16, have already got to work preparing for the trip, meeting with other representatives from across the county and raising the funds needed to send each scout to Japan.

Martin Relton, District Commissioner for Knutsford District Scouts, said: “I am confident that they will be brilliant ambassadors for Knutsford and Knutsford Scouts.

“For the Scouts selected it is a fantastic opportunity – it will probably be the biggest adventure of their lives so far and it will certainly be a memorable experience that will stay with them and make a lasting impression.”

The World Scout Jamboree has more nations represented than the Olympic Games and is the single biggest youth event in the world with over 40,000 young people attending.

As well as the Jamboree, the scouts will have the opportunity of Home Hospitality where they will stay with a family from one of the host countries to immerse themselves in another culture.

The cost for each scout’s trip is around £3,500 and they will have to use their initiative to fundraise this amount over the next 18 months. A portion of their individual costs goes to supporting Scouts from less advantaged countries, helping them to attend the Jamboree and benefit from the experience.

Martin added: “They will return more mature and more experienced individuals and better citizens and it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their opportunities in further education and their future employment.”

For more details on Knutsford Scouts visit knutsfordscouts.org.uk or contact Martin on 01565 651817.