Britain's Most Inspiring Fundraiser Nominee
Finalist - Stephen Young
Nominated by: Judy Young, mum and Scout Leader
Charity:Demelza House
Reason for nomination:
"Stephen never complained. Not even once. He never said "I wish I'd never started this". He just got on with it. Not every 16 year old can show this kind of commitment and dedication and in a very different way to many other fundraisers."
Actions:
Just imagine spending 365 nights in tent for charity. That's what Stephen did. In September 2006, Kent Explorer Scouts were challenged to spend every night of 2007, Scoutings Centenary Year, under canvas, between them. Stephen jokingly said he could do it on his own and so it started. On January 1st 2007 Stephen pitched a tent in his grandparents back garden and that night began his amazing year long adventure. The rest of his scout unit decide to match him, between them.
Stephen wasn't even put off by snow and sub zero temperatures in February just 36 nights in. Later that month Kent Scouts went to the Lake District and when the rest of the group was tucked up in their beds in a hostel Stephen was camping in the grounds. The summer of 2007 didnt get much better but rather wetter! April saw his 16th birthday and June his GCSEs. While the country was suffering from floods Stephen continued to say goodnight and head for his tent, night after night. All this and knowing it was only going to get again before he would finally be back in his own bed.
What kept him going? The £2500 sponsorship he was going to give to Demelza House, a local children's hospice for children with life shortening illnesses. When he finally finished and took the tent down on 1st January 2008, local and nation media interest had brought more sponsors through the door. His final total is just over £4000.
