Hampshire Scouts

Our Southampton House has had some real adventurers visit from Hampshire Scouts in Hospital, with Scout leader John bringing exciting activities for our families! 🙌 “Every time we go to Ronald McDonald House Southampton for an activities afternoon we always try and have a soft archery set and plastic throwing axes with us. Very few parents and siblings have tried archery and axe throwing before, and this is a new experience for them, and it can also get very competitive.” – John 🏹 “It's fun to see even the youngest children having a go with the axes. Their joy and excitement is infectious. 🤩 “I remember a lady who had recently had twins, one was still at the Princess Anne, but the other was having heart surgery. Her family persuaded her to try the throwing axes, as she threw the axes, with a fair degree of force, you could see the tension and frustrations start to fade away. This is why we do Hospital Scouting. “We have many more activities but all of them allow the children to relax, spend quality time with their parents and make new friends. Having new friends makes their stay a little more bearable, gives them the opportunity to talk to others in a similar situation and better understand what is going on and how they feel.” John even won the Silver Wolf Recognition Award, signed by Bear Grylls and the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. 🏆 “The award was for exceptional service to Scouting over the past 35 years and especially for the last 10 years, when I've helped set up and eventually lead Hampshire Scouts in Hospital. “Although this is an award to an individual, I very much see it as recognition for everyone involved with Hampshire Scouts in Hospitals, without whom, Hospital Scouting couldn’t happen. This is also true for Ronald McDonald House Southampton, where we couldn’t run activities without the help and support of Becky and the rest of the House team there.” We are so thankful for John and all of Hampshire Scouts in Hospital’s hard work, bringing joy, excitement and some escapism to our families while they are going through such a difficult time with a child in hospital. ❤️