Scouts from three Leeds Scouting groups travelling more than 100 miles to set a new world record last weekend (2nd – 5th August).
Members of the Central Yorkshire Couty County unit 28 contingent, which includes St Mays (Kippax), Scholes and Sherburn Scout Groups, completed the longest journey by heritage railway in less than 36 hours travelling from the North Yorkshire Moors to the Welsh Highlands and on to the Midlands.
The world record attempt was completed to raise funds to send three of its members to the World Scout Jamboree next year.
Scouts Morgan Harness, 13, from Kippax and Thomas Bliss, 12, from Scholes, travelled the equivalent width of the UK in 7 train journeys to raise the £3800 each needed to attend the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.
The third Jamboree participant was Thomas’ carer, who was accompanying Thomas to help with his Autism needs.
The boys were accompanied by supporting Scouts who collected sponsorship and donations. Two Scout leaders and a backup camping team helped them get to their goal.
The new World record is pending official confirmation from the Guinness Book of World records.
Heres the railways which the group travelled on:
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway (full length, Whitby – Pickering)
- Wensleydale Railway (Leeming Bar – Redmire)
- East Lancashire Railway (Rawtenstall – Bury)
- Heaton Park Tramway (ran a special just for the group, including up the sidings for unique distance)
- Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog – Caernarfon)
- Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (Porthmadog – Pen-y-mount Junction)
- Ffestiniog Railway (Porthmadog – Blaenau Ffestiniog)
- Llangollen Railway (Llangollen – Corwen)
- Telford Steam Railway (ran a special for the group)
- Severn Valley Railway (Kidderminster – Bridgnorth)
If you like to help to get the 3 Scouts to the Jamboree, then please click here.
What did the officials say?
Paul Harness, assistant Scout leader at St Mary’s Kippax Scout group said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled at successfully completing our world record attempt.
“It was an action packed weekend, but we managed to complete the attempt with 7 minutes to spare of the 36 hours.
“We’re incredibly proud- now all that’s left to do is wait for the Guinness Book of World Records to validate!
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and donated towards our cause.”
Morgan Harness said:
“The attempt was a challenge as our timings were really tight, but all our hard work was worth it!”
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