We are absolutely delighted to announce that Scarlett of 10th Widnes has been awarded the Cornwell Scout Badge by Bear Grylls (Chief Scout) for her outstanding bravery, patience and positivity beyond her years!
This is a rare award, only awarded to young people under the age of 25, in respect of great heroism or pre-eminently high character and devotion to duty coupled with great courage and endurance. The award was created by The Scouts to commemorate the courage shown by John ‘Jack’ Travers Cornwell a Scout who served in the Royal Navy during the war and did not leave his post, aboard HMS Chester; even when grievously wounded. Three days after the end of the battle, Jack died a national hero but for his gallantry, he was given both the Victoria Cross and the highest Scouting award, the Bronze Cross.
Like Jack’s, Scarlett’s story is a tremendously humbling one and despite dealing with her own extremely difficult and life changing illness; which has taken tremendous courage and determination to (in Scarlett’s own words), “kick cancer in the butt”, she took it upon herself to become a mentor with a local charity called Chics – “Children’s Cancer Support Group” at Alder Hey Hospital. Scarlett has been a true inspiration and role model to all her leaders and peers not least for dealing with her own adversity but for the selfless support she have given to other young people facing similar trauma. These are true Scout values and we commend her for empathy, never give up spirit and bravery.
You can follow Scarlett’s journey here https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettFsJourney/
Scarlett has already been written to by Bear himself and will later be presented at an event of her choosing with a framed certificate, broach and cloth badge she may proudly wear on her uniform. It is a huge honour to receive this award and to our knowledge she is the only young person from Mersey Weaver to do so! Due to the nature of the award, Scarlett will be listed in the 2022 National Roll of honour and invited to a national event of celebration, either at Windsor Palace or Westminster Abbey whenever the pandemic allows. Scarlett has also been awarded a grant of up to £300 which has been jointly match funded by Mersey Weaver and Cheshire Scouts to make it up to £600 so she can undertake a special activity to celebrate her achievement with her Troop or Group.
We’d also like take this opportunity to give a huge shout out to Imogen, Scarlett’s sister who has done a tremendous job and been a wonderful sister supporting Scarlett through thick and thin. She too has shown exemplary Scout values despite being diagnosed with diabetes four months before Scarlett found out she had cancer. We’d just like to say to Scarlett, Imogen and Karen from all your friends and supporters in Mersey Weaver and across Cheshire we are so incredibly proud of you all!
