An Isle of Dogs scout was selected to visit Buckingham Palace yesterday to help launch a new volunteering initiative.
Ben Morante, 11, was one of just two Scouts nationwide to represent the organisation at the event, which was also attended by Prince Charles and the leaders of the three main political parties.
Step Up To Serve is an initiative that promotes the benefits of volunteering and aims to get 50% of young people in the UK volunteering in some way by 2020.
Pledges from a range of organisations and businesses to enable more young people to volunteer were made at the launch event.
Ben said: “I’m really excited to be taking part in the launch at Buckingham Palace today.
“Volunteering is really important and can make a big difference to communities.”
The 2nd East London Scouts, which Ben attends, have recently been involved in raising money and supplies for victims of the Philippines typhoon as well as helping to sell poppies for Remembrance Day.
The Scout Association pledged to recruit an additional 14,000 adult volunteers by 2020 in order to allow an extra 62,000 young people across the country to join troops.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here