A local Scouts group has raised more than £1,600 to help with relief projects for children in Haiti.
More than 250 young children completed a sponsored ten lap walk around Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on Monday 15 March. All proceeds from the event will be donated to assist the work of the United Nation’s Childrens Fund (UNICEF) following the recent earthquake in Haiti.
Mark Darlow, event organiser and Group Leader of the 201 Islington Sea Scouts taking part, said: “All Scouts are really good at helping other people and this adventure not only went some way to support UNICEF in Haiti, but it also helped our members to keep fit and healthy.”
Kelly Owens, a 17-year-old Explorer Scout who took part in the event, said: “It’s really good that I was one of the Scouts who raised money to help people who are less fortunate than me. I am sad that there have been so many deaths and injuries in Haiti and I hope that the money we raised by doing this sponsored walk will make a difference.”
The 201 Islington Sea Scouts, who meet near Highbury Square, were joined for the sponsored walk by six other Islington Scout groups as well as two from Hampstead.
As well as Scouts groups, other organisations and individuals in Islington have been raising money for UNICEF’s Haiti appeal. As reported in the Islington Now last week, Jeanette Bain-Burnett aims to raise £3,000 by swimming 6,500 lengths.
The devastating earthquake hit the Caribbean nation of Haiti on 12 January and killed or injured thousands of children. Those who survived the disaster are now living in temporary shelters, hospitals or on the streets.
More than 1,000 tonnes of UNICEF supplies have already landed in the Haitian capital Port au Prince and Santa Domingo.
If you would like to donate to UNICEF through the 201 Islington Scouts visit www.justgiving.com/201st-Islingtonscouts-Haiti
