A SCOUT volunteer has visited all 88 Scout groups in his region, helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Martin Elliot, a volunteer with the Scouts in the South East Scotland Region, took on a unique challenge to visit all of the groups in the region – covering Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and the Borders – as part of Jamie's Journey.

Border Telegraph: Martin with Galashiels ScoutsMartin with Galashiels Scouts (Image: Love From Jamie)

Jamie's Journey was a month-long challenge in memory of Martin's son who died in 2019 at the age of 8 months.

While Jamie was still in neonatal care following his birth in December 2018, his parents Martin and Fiona received the devastating news that his brain had developed abnormally and that life for their son would be far from straightforward. Over the next 8 months Jamie endured a plethora of hospital appointments and stays which he faced bravely. Unfortunately, Jamie’s challenges continued to grow, and he died, in his parents’ arms at Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital in August 2019.

Martin and his Fiona set up the charity Love From Jamie to honour Jamie’s memory and to help other families dealing with grief following the death of a child.

Martin's challenge started in the Borders, with him cycling from Jedburgh to Duns on day one (August 5) and then from Eyemouth to West Linton on day two (August 6).

Then each weekend across August Martin hopped on his bike or walked to visit Scouts from across the region – covering 460km.

Border Telegraph: Martin with Scouts in EyemouthMartin with Scouts in Eyemouth (Image: Love From Jamie)

And any young person and adult volunteers who joined Martine received a special Jamie's Journey badge to proudly wear with their Scout and Girlguiding uniforms.

So far Jamie's Journey has raised £2,267 and the funds will be shared between Love From Jamie and the South East Scotland Scouts – which celebrates 15 years of providing skills for life to more than 6,500 young people through fun and adventurous activities.

There are 14 Scout groups in the Borders, which cater for the various age groups – Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers.

Borders groups can be found in:

  • Cardrona
  • Duns
  • Earlston
  • Eyemouth
  • Galashiels
  • Hawick
  • Jedburgh
  • Kelso
  • Lauderdale
  • Melrose
  • Peebles
  • Selkirk
  • West Linton

Donations to Jamie’s Journey are still open and can be made at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/jamiesjourney2023