Published: Friday, 11th December, 2009 8:00am

Bear honours Jack with top scout awards

by Lauren Everitt

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A MINI mountaineer has scooped two prestigious awards for his charity work.

Jack Harley-Walsh, 10, was presented with a gold Blue Peter badge as well as receiving the Chief Scout's Personal Award for his achievements in climbing three African mountains.

Jack, a cub scout in the South Ascot Scout Group, scaled Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya earlier this year in aid of Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust and Sebastian's Action Trust.

Hamish Stout, county commissioner for Berkshire Scouting, presented Jack with the award before surprising him with the Blue Peter badge.

Chief Scout Bear Grylls, who selected Jack as the award winner, said: "Jack decided that he wanted to do something that was extraordinary.

"He sometimes finds schooling challenging, but wanted to show that you don't have to be a super kid to do extraordinary things.

"He set his challenge to climb some mountains, not just any mountains but the highest mountains he could in Africa."

Jack and his mum Sue Walsh, who live in St George's Lane, South Ascot, tackled the mammoth challenge in July.

Jack became one of the youngest people to climb Mount Kilimanjaro so Mrs Walsh rewarded him with a safari.

But while on the safari Jack was thrown off his camel and was left unconscious so had to be airlifted to Nairobi hospital where he stayed for a week with a sore back.

Derek Jackson, district secretary for south east Berkshire scouts, said: "Jack had first hand experience of what an air ambulance service can provide and was even more delighted he chose the service as one of his charities to support."

Jack was also nominated for BBC Junior Sports Personality of the year, but not shortlisted for the final.