A VOLUNTEER who gives up his free time to help young people reach their potential is the best 'bar' none after receiving a top award.

David McCallum, the assistant Scout Leader at the 32nd Greenock & District group and Assistant Regional Commissioner for West Scotland, has been awarded the Bar to the Silver Acorn.

It is a special honour for distinguished service to the youth organisation.

David said: "The young people of Inverclyde have much to offer.

"I am in no doubt that they should all be part of a uniformed organisation such as ours to learn life skills and be proud to be part of something worthwhile.

"We in the Scouts offer a kickstart to their life journey."

Back in 2008, David received the Silver Acorn award and since then has continued to perform to the highest standards which the Scout Movement strives for with integrity, drive and leadership at group, district and regional level.

David was a very successful District Commissioner of Greenock & District from 2006 to 2013.

During his time in office the district doubled its membership from 800 to 1,641 members.

Under his leadership the district was ranked number two in the UK for growth in 2009 and 2010, and number one in Scotland.

David was instrumental in opening six new groups, three explorer Scout Units, encompassing 24 new sections from Wemyss Bay to Quarriers village.

He was also a key figure working with Inverclyde Council to negotiate clearing a long-term £60,000 loan for Everton Scout Camp near Inverkip.

In 2010, David and his wife Carol were invited to 10 Downing Street at the invitation of then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown to have lunch and enter into discussions on the success of volunteering in Scouting and its effect on the community.

David said: "Meeting the prime minister and other cabinet members at Downing Street was one of the highlights of my time in office.

"It gave me a chance to showcase what we did well in Inverclyde."

David was appointed South West Scotland Unit Leader at the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011.

This proved a challenge as he was allocated a unit of nine young people, many of whom did not speak English, from Vanuatu, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.

These young people came to Greenock one week prior to the Jamboree for home hospitality.

David added: "The Jamboree is a coming together of 50,000 plus young people from across the planet, all with a common purpose of friendship, peace and understanding of each other’s culture.

"This year’s event will be held during July in South Carolina USA.

"Several young people from Greenock are attending and will have the time of their lives."

In recent years, David has continued to support the 32nd, helping them gain the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2016, becoming the only group in Scotland to receive the royal accolade.

David has also encouraged and supported 36 young people from the 32nd to gain the Queen's Scout Award.

He has also attended an annual parade at Windsor Castle for the past 11 years and will be back this year, along with his wife to support four Queen Scouts and another young person who has gained a bravery award.

David will be wearing his Bar to the Silver Acorn when meeting chief Scout Bear Grylls and HRH the Duke of Kent, President of the Scout Association during a service at the historic St George’s chapel.