THREE Southampton Scout leaders have been selected to represent the UK next summer in an event for more than 40,000 children in West Virginia, USA.

Amanda Toomer, Barnaby Martin and Connor Frain from Southampton have been chosen to take part in the World Scout Jamboree in July and August next year, sharing life skills and staging events to inspire young Scouts.

The trio will be working with Scouts from nearly every country in the world.

The World Jamboree is held every four years and brings together 45,000 Scouts from around the world to experience international cultures and celebrate the Scouting principle: to create a better world.

Amanda said: “I am very much looking forward to going to help out young people from across the world and learning skills for life.

“I went to Tanzania with Hampshire Scouting and loved it.

“I am an Explorer Scout leader supporting 14-18-year-olds in Southampton and I want to tell them all about my adventures.”

The Southampton Scouts will be joined by another representative from Hampshire, Dillan Evans, from Winchester.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “Congratulations to Amanda and all the other UK volunteers who have been selected to support Scouts at the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, USA.

“While lots of people know that Scouting helps young people learn the skills they need for life, they often don’t realise that adult volunteers learn just as much as our young members. The Jamboree is a great example of this.”