A SCOUT group has joined thousands of other Scouts and Girlguides at an international event thanks to help and donations.

1st Warley Scouts from Brentwood travelled to Boyton Cross, near Chelmsford last week for the Essex International Jamboree, despite having a fire in August 2015 that threatened to end their group.

The group joined the largest Scout and Girlguiding event in Europe and camped for the week with 10,000 other youngsters from across the UK and around the world.

The theme of this year’s jamboree was ‘our changing world’ and the Scouts and Girlguides at the event had the opportunity to take part in more than 100 different adventurous activities over the course of the jamboree.

In August last year, 1st Warley Scout Group’s headquarters was burned down. The only thing that was saved from the fire was a 95-year-old flag.

Within a week, leaders formulated a plan to save the group, which was established in 1909, from ending while the lengthy process of rebuilding the hut began.

Not one meeting was cancelled because of the fire, with subsequent meetings held at Thriftwood Scout campsite, Orchard Avenue, Brentwood and other Scout huts.

With the generosity of the community, the group is slowly re-equipping itself and through donations and fundraising,was able to get enough kit to attend the jamboree.

1st Warley Scout Leader Simon Timmins said the fire was devastating but, at the same time, there have been some huge positives.

He added: “We have been the recipients of incredible generosity and support from Scout and Guide units throughout our local community.

“The 23 Scouts we have attending the jamboree were largely there because of the tents and equipment groups have donated and lent to us.

“We have also learnt that it’s not a hut and equipment which makes a Scout group – it’s the people. Despite everything, we have continued to deliver a programme and run meetings for our 120 young people.

“We have been forced out of our comfort zone, have gone back to basics and have learnt a lot along the way which has been hugely refreshing and rewarding.”