Venture Scouts help at Handisport 2002 - Lille

July 2002

Two 7th Woking Venture Scouts boarded the Eurostar to France and set off for two weeks of hard work and fun. Dan M and John H responded to a plea for help from the organisers of the 3rd World Championships of Athletics - Paralympics 2002 (Handisport 2002) and Scouts de France to become voluntary members of the support team. They are part of a team of 18 Scouts from across the UK that are helping with a wide range of work including helping the disabled athletes move around the event, welcoming the guests, helping with the catering, and organising the transportation.

The prestigious event is taking place from 15 to 29 July in the superb French athletics stadium at Villeneuve D’Ascq, Lille and attracts the top paralympic athletes from around the world (they met a member of the English squad boarding the same train). Dan and John have joined a French Scout Group at Wissant to prepare for their duties. John said “I am really impressed with the way these athletes overcome some incredible difficulties to take part and produce amazing sporting results. I think the hardest bit for them will be understanding my French!” The two will return just in time to join the rest of the Venture Unit on its summer camp in Dartmoor, where amongst other things they will complete the Royal Marines Endurance Course at Lympstone CTC. “I am sure the determination shown by the paralympic athletes will inspire us to keep going, even if a Royal Marines Commando screaming at us doesn’t” commented Dan.

Click here for more details on Handisport 2002

You can view a few shots from their photo diary by following the links below: