Scout from Newark scaling peaks and raising funds to reach South Korea for World Scout Jamboree
A scout from Newark has conquered the Yorkshire Three-Peaks as part of a fundraising effort.
Jessica Muller, 13, from Newark is raising money to fund travel expenses to reach South Korea after being selected to represent the UK at the World Scout Jamboree taking place in the country next year.
She needs to raise just over £3,000 to cover equipment and training, as well the trip to South Korea itself.
Jess is well on her way to that goal already, having already held quiz nights, making her own jewellery to sell and popping up at local events with a fundraising stall.
Her latest challenge of conquering the Yorkshire Three-Peaks for a sponsored hike which involved scaling the heights of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which she completed in just twelve hours.
"It was a lot of fun and it felt great hitting that third summit, there was a huge sense of achievement, but it was a lot of pain coming back down." Jess said.
"I wore my necker the whole way around and had people stopping me to ask what I was doing, everyone was so supportive."
As it stands, Jess's Just Giving page sits at over £700, with donations coming in from all over the country after being shared on social media. You can donate to it here.
The World Jamboree will see over 45,000, scouts aged 14 to 17, from every scouting nation in the world gather in SaeManGeum, South Korea for a huge exhibition of activities including water skills, adventure challenges and cross-cultural exchanges.
On being selected to be part of the UK contingent of 3,000 scouts, Jess said: "When I received the letter I was speechless, bursting into tear and then probably didn't stop bouncing for about two hours with excitement.
"I had to go to a special county day as part of the application process to showcase my skills and show why i wanted to go.
"I just really wanted to push the boundaries of what I was capable of and it'd be a great opportunity to learn new skills and develop new friendships."
Jess's mum, Tilly Muller, herself the deputy commissioner for Newark scouts, said: "She's been so busy and determined, Jessica joined Beavers when she was five and a half years old and hasn't looked back."
Whilst there will be a huge focus on Korean culture at the three-week event, a meet and greet will be held where scouts from different nations can interact and share their own cultural identities, with the UK traditionally putting on an afternoon tea.
Jess gave advice to anyone interested in joining the scouts, saying: "Just be yourself. Scouting is open to everyone regardless of background. It's inclusive and offers opportunities that most people will never get."
