SIX Gourock scouts are set to take part in a lifechanging mission to help those affected by devastating earthquakes in Nepal.

Callum Laverty, Ailsa Russell, Brodie Stone, Thomas McInnes, Elizabeth McInnes and Freya Lindsay will be jetting out to Kathmandu this July and spending two weeks helping to rebuild schools which were ruined by earthquakes almost a decade ago.

The group, who are all part of Darroch Explorer Scout Unit (1st Gourock), have been working hard to fundraise enough cash to cover the costs of their trip.

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Elizabeth, 19, told the Tele that she had been part of a previous scout trip to Malaysia in 2019, which she described as an incredible experience.

Greenock Telegraph:

She added: “In Malaysia we built a playpark for the kids, a crop patch and painted a school – it was fantastic.

“We got to see how the people out there were living and help them improve things.

“I’m excited to be going on this trip, there’s a bigger group of us going this time so hopefully that means we can do more.”

The young scouts had to take part in a selection camp in order to be chosen for the trip.

Callum, 16, told the Tele: “We took part in team building activities and then found out we’d been picked.

“We’re also bringing books with us so we can read to the kids, hopefully we’ll teach them some English and they can teach us a bit of Nepalese.

“We’ll be donating those books once we leave. The aim is that they get a lot out of it as well.”

As well as taking part in training camps ahead of flying out, the group also have to raise enough cash to cover the costs of the trip.

Some of them are planning to sell goods from stalls at various local events and while others organised ‘four-legged Santa dash’ in Glasgow last year.

They, alongside members of their unit who are travelling out to South Korea this year for the World Scout Jamboree, are also planning to hold a race night on April 29 to raise cash for the two trips.

Greenock Telegraph:

Thomas, 16, hopes that the group can make a difference to those still living with the effects of the terrible earthquakes.

He added: “It’s good to experience other cultures, learn about the world and, of course, help those affected by the earthquake out there.

“We’ve going to be rebuilding a classroom from the ground up.

“A lot of girls in the place we’re going can’t go to school because there’s only one toilet, so we’ll be building another toilet as well.

“It’ll help more people get an education so that’s brilliant.”

Those wishing to attend the group’s race night fundraiser should visit https://bit.ly/3GrlwIT.

Anyone would like to support the scouts with donations for raffles or other fundraising activities is encouraged to contact johnlaverty71@yahoo.com.