Families set fundraising challenges for Doddington Scouts

Alfie and Lewis Tinkler and their parents Andy and Steph are set to take on the West Highland Way hike next month. <i>(Image: Steph Kennett)</i>
Alfie and Lewis Tinkler and their parents Andy and Steph are set to take on the West Highland Way hike next month. (Image: Steph Kennett)
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Two families have set themselves walking challenges to help a local scouts group enjoy a trip to Europe next summer.

Both are supporting the 1st Doddington Scouts' plans to take a group of youngsters to Holland for a week's camping and are fundraising to help keep the costs of the trip affordable for all.

This week, Aron Lloyd and his parents, Sara and Jonathan, have completed a 107-mile trek along Hadrian's Wall, starting in Newcastle and ending in Bowness.

The family trio set a target of £2,000 on their JustGiving page and are hoping that now they have completed the challenge more people will dig deep to support them.

Aron Lloyd and his parents Sara and Jonathan have completed a 107-mile hike along Hadrian's Wall.Aron Lloyd and his parents Sara and Jonathan have completed a 107-mile hike along Hadrian's Wall. (Image: Sara Lloyd) Sara explained the idea of walking Hadrian's Wall came from home-educated Aron during a family stop-off at the landmark on a previous trip to Scotland.

Aron asked if it was possible to walk the whole length, and the idea of walking coast to coast along the wall was born.

Both Sara and Jonathan are part of the Explorers leadership team, and the whole family was keen to get involved with the fundraising, having experienced a Scout trip to Belgium last year.

Alys Turner, who runs 1st Doddington Scouts, said: "The Belgium trip was great fun and everyone enjoyed it, so we thought it would be nice to organise another one. This time we are going to Holland and we are looking to raise as much money as we can towards the cost of days out and the trip as a whole, so that anyone who wants to come can."

Alfie and Lewis completed a trial hike at Easter to ensure Alfie was up to the hike after suffering a nasty knee injury.Alfie and Lewis completed a trial hike at Easter to ensure Alfie was up to the hike after suffering a nasty knee injury. (Image: Steph Kennett) The trip will be open to members of the 1st Doddington Scout groups aged over 10.

Alys explained there are three groups going, one will be fully chaperoned, while the Explorers aged 16 to 17 will be self-led and have organised some of their activities.

The third group will be the 18 to 25-year-olds who will also be self-led and have their own agenda. However, all three groups will be camping together. 

Sara and Jonathan helped lead the Belgium trip, and Sara said: "Last year, Jonathan and I were fortunate enough to be part of a team of volunteers taking around 50 Scouts and Explorer Scouts from Doddington, Whittlesey, and March scout groups on a fantastic week away in Belgium.

Aron Lloyd walks along Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Doddington Scouts.Aron Lloyd walks along Hadrian's Wall to raise money for Doddington Scouts. (Image: Sara LLoyd) "We enjoyed it so much that next year we are taking them to Holland."

Now that the Lloyd family has completed their challenge, with Sara saying, "It was pretty incredible", attention has turned to two more members of the scout group, Alfie and Lewis Tinkler, who, with their parents, Steph and Andy, are taking on the West Highland Way next month.

The family of four will be walking the 96-mile trail, which runs from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, to the base of Ben Nevis in Fort William.

Steph said: "To add to the challenge (in case that isn’t hard enough), we plan to carry our kit and wild camp for the majority of the journey, taking approximately 12 days to complete the walk.

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"We are fortunate to have excellent support for the walk; however, both boys will need to carry their entire kit, including tent, sleeping bag and mat, food and water, as well as midge nets."

She said: "The boys would like to use the opportunity to raise money for their scout troop, 1st Doddington Scouts, who plan to take as many of the troop as want to go (I believe they are looking at around 66 scouts and explorers) to Holland in August 2026.

"This is an amazing opportunity, and to make it affordable to all requires a huge amount of fundraising; therefore, any donations you are able to give, however small, would be greatly appreciated."

Like Aron, Alfie, and Lewis also have a JustGiving page, where people can donate to help make the trip a reality for all.

1st Doddington Scouts has around 140 members aged from four upwards.

Alfie and Lewis completed a 20km hike at Easter time to ensure Alfie was up to the trek after recovering from a knee injury sustained playing rugby.

He suffered a fractured patella and had to have six months of physio to get back to fitness. 

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