Swindon Scout raises £4000 for Indian orphanage

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Swindon Scout raises £4000 for Indian orphanage

20/08/2009

Chief Scout Bear Grylls has congratulated a Swindon Scout who has raised £4000 for an Indian orphanage in Delhi.

Ali, a 12-year-old Scout with the 18th Swindon Group, was left in a basket outside the Palna orphanage in Delhi when he was a baby. It was on a visit to the orphanage in 2006 with his adoptive parents Neil and Kauser that he was inspired to raise funds.

He began by giving speeches about the visit, selling plants, making and selling cakes and organising charity dinners.

Ali told The Hindu News Update Service, 'I wanted to go and see where I started my life. The staff told me that they were doing really well but always needed money for better care. So I decided to help. It's my way of helping a few children have a better life.'

Over the past three years he has raised £4000, handing over a cheque for Palna to India's Foreign Secretary Shiv Shanker Menon at the Indian High Commission during a recent visit to London.

Honoured by Swindon Council

Swindon Council honoured Ali's fundraising efforts by awarding him the Pride of Swindon Award on 14 May. In July Ali met Chief Scout Bear Grylls who congratulated him on his efforts.

Phil Clarke, Group Scout Leader for the 18th Swindon said, 'Ali was very excited to meet Bear, who came across as a very caring man, keen to help find more adults to participate in Scouting for all ages, and reduce the waiting lists for Beavers and Cubs that most Scout Groups now
have, including Ali’s own Troop - 18th Swindon.'

Ali is proud of his Indian roots commenting: 'Many people see pictures from India and think it's so terrible and think they can't do anything. But you can make a difference in a small way and it's important to do something. It's a wonderful country and I'm proud I come from there.'

Providing adventure to the UK’s young people

Scouting is more popular than ever, with adult volunteering increasing at the fastest rate for 23 years and just as many girls as boys now joining. 100,000 Scout volunteers give up their time to provide adventurous activities to 400,000 6-25 year olds. Despite this, demand still outstrips supply and waiting lists remain at an all-time high due to the need for more adult volunteers.

By volunteering for Scouting you not only benefit from supporting young people, you also gain from developing yourself.

There are lots of flexible volunteering opportunities.

Comments

By James
on 21/08/2009 16:50
Someone teach Bear how to roll a necker please

By Anon
on 21/08/2009 18:03
Can someone please show the new Chief how to roll his necker.

By Jayne Maddy - Boston
on 21/08/2009 23:28
Well done Ali - what a fantastic sum to raise!

By David
on 22/08/2009 10:41
I think it's rather sad that this child can do something so brilliant and positive and all several people can do is make snide comments about how the Chief Scout rolls his knecker. Perspective?

Well done Ali and keep up the good work.

I

By J
on 22/08/2009 13:31
I think bear needs a lesson on his uniform and necker!

By Sheila - North Yorkshire
on 23/08/2009 10:53
Ali, your are an inspiration, well done and keep up the good work. I have visited India twice and have visited Orphanage's, a Leper Colony and some slum area's, I know that the Palna Orphanage will be very grateful of your support, well done

By John
on 23/08/2009 13:06
Congratulations to Ali - its a terrific achievement.

By Michael
on 24/08/2009 13:56
That is a fantastic achievment, well done.

By Varsha
on 24/08/2009 15:36
Well done Ali on all your efforts & hard work. I too have visited India and driven through many slum areas and visited a number of orphanages. Lets hope many more people this including adults & children follow your steps & help the needy in many of the third world countries.

Good Luck for the Future.

The Scout Association