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TV star drops in to promote scouting
SCOUTING'S answer to David Beckham dropped into South Tyneside to encourage more people to join the organisation.
TV adventurer and Chief Scout Bear Grylls made a dramatic helicopter entrance at North Marine Park, Lawe Top, South Shields, on Saturday.
The 35-year-old, who stars in Channel 4's Born Survivor series, met up with youngsters from the 3rd South Shields Sea Scouts as they took part in sailing activities.
Mr Grylls, who was appointed the youngest ever chief scout last year, visited them at their base in South Shields Sailing Club in River Drive, with his young son Jesse.
The visit was part of his UK tour to inspire more adults to become involved with the Scouts and enable them to allow more youngsters to sign up.
He said: "It was great kicking off the first stage of my UK tour in the North East.
"It was such fun to hang out with loads of Scouts at so many fun events.
"Scouting is all about adventure – encouraging adults and young people to have fun."
Last month, the Scout Association announced a rise in adult leaders in the North East of England for the second year running, with growth up 4.5 per cent from 2009 – above the national average of 3.1 per cent.
But waiting lists to join remain at an all-time high, with more than 2,854 young people in line to sign up.
During the weekend, Mr Grylls called in at 24 locations across North East England and Yorkshire, and he hopes to have completed his UK tour within the next four years.
He said: "My goal as Chief Scout is for every young person who wants to be involved in Scouting to be able to take part.
"But in order to make this happen, we need even more adult volunteers to keep up with the demand."
Bruce Robinson, who's been the sea scouts group leader for the last 30 years, said Mr Grylls was pleased to see so many kids in the water and taking part with activities.
He said: "I let him have a drive of my rescue boat, and it's fair to say he's a pretty competent driver. However, I kept him right.
"He said he may well come back one day, though, because he was very impressed with the area and what we were doing."
Amy Glen, 17, an explorer Scout from Cleadon, was delighted to meet the famous adventurer.
She said: "He is very well-known in the scouting world as he is chief scout, so it was quite an memorable experience being able to meet him.
* Anyone who wants to know more about the Scouts can visit the organisation's wwbsite using this link.
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
