It is a proud moment for Leicestershire Scouts to present a number of King’s Scout Awards to its members at a special ceremony held at the headquarters of Leicestershire Police, hosted by David Sandall, Deputy Chief Constable on the 5th March, 2025.
These are the first King’s Scout Awards presented in Leicestershire under HM King Charles III.
The King’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and comprises a variety of activities to complete.
It’s closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
The awardees of the Kings Scout Award:
• Lauren Colwell
• Ollie Row
• Alex Reid
• Sarah Smalley
• Samuel Hill
• Evie Sandall
• Meleehah Surya
• Ellie Lilliott
• Thomas Hague
• Oliver Hague
The awardees were presented their awards by the Lord-Lieutenant, Michael Kapur OBE CStJ and assisted by David Sandall, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police and Robert Allison CBE DL- President of Leicestershire Scouts.
To achieve the award, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members aged between 16 and 25 years old, have to complete a range of challenges including service to their community, an expedition in wild country, and a five-day residential project.
They also have to develop an existing talent or learn new skills.
At the same time Leicestershire Scouts presented Ellie Eagles, Jack Sawford & Lauren Colwell with a Kings Coronation Medal to say thank you for their assistance at the Coronation.
They were a part of a team of Scout volunteers from across the UK and the Commonwealth who had been nominated to help during the Coronation Day in London.
Scouts have a proud history supporting the coronations of our Kings and Queens.
David Sandall, said, “A huge congratulations to the awardees on achieving their King’s Scout Award – the pinnacle achievement in Scouts.”
Robert Allison CBE DL added “each awardee had reached the end of an “incredible journey” where they had demonstrated “kindness, courage and commitment”.
The history of the award dates back to 1909, King Edward VII agreed to award the ‘King’s Scout Badge’ as the highest achievement for Scouts, on the recommendation of Robert Baden-Powell, the movement’s founder and first Chief Scout.
In 1934, Scouts held an event at Windsor to celebrate the achievements of that year’s badge holders. The event became an annual tradition, and we still recognise badge holders’ achievements there today.
In 1946, Senior Scouts was created for 15–17-year-olds, and the King’s Scout Badge became part of their programme. On the death of HM King George VI, his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, acceded to the throne in 1952.
The award became the Queen’s Scout Award for the length of her 70-year reign.
After her death, it was agreed, the award would be known as the King’s Scout Award. HM King Charles III has always strongly supported young people, through his work with Scouts, The Prince’s Trust, and other charities.
