Fenland sisters chosen to join UK contingent at Scout World Jamboree in South Korea
Two sisters are launching a fundraising effort after being chosen to attend an international scouting festival next summer.
Sorcha Friel, 14 and Caoimhe, who has just turned 13, beat off lots of opposition from Scouts across the Eastern Region to be chosen to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree in August 2023 when over 40,000 Scouts from across the globe will gather in South Korea.
Sorcha, and Caoimhe, who are the daughters of Victoria and David Friel, who also have sons Ailin, 11 and Lorcan, nine, are members of the 3rdMarshland Scout Group, which meets in Terrington St John.
The girls, who have described being able to attend the jamboree as “an opportunity of a lifetime”, are both pupils at Marshland High School, where Sorcha is in Year 10 and Caoimhe is in Year 8.
Victoria explained the girls were originally Brownies and then Guides, before deciding to join the Scouts instead. Sorcha is now a young leader with the 3rd Marshland Beavers.
They applied to join the UK contingent for the jamboree and underwent a selection process at Eaton Vale in Norwich in November, and were thrilled when they were both chosen to attend.
However, the girls now need to raise £3,895 each to be able to go and are busy coming up with ideas on how to fundraise.
Victoria said the girls had hoped to launch their fundraising this month but the family was hit by Covid over Christmas and the New Year putting pay to that.
However, they have already come up with some ideas and that includes a coffee morning at the Scout Hall in Terrington St John on February 5 from 9.30am to 11.30am when there will be stalls, cakes and refreshments.
They are also busy trying to sell ducks for a virtual duck race they are planning for Easter Sunday (April 17).
Ducks are selling at £2 each with a £50 prize up for grabs for the winner, which will be drawn on race day. They can be bought through the girls Facebook page or by emailing girlswsjfundraising@gmail.com.
The girls added: “The money target is a tall order and we are extremely grateful of any support you can give.”
They are also hoping the school will get behind them by hosting bake sales and other events over the coming year. Sorcha and Caoimhe have until March next year to achieve their targets.
The hope is to raise £1,000 by the end of this March and another by June.
They have also set up a Justgiving page here.
