Saluting the Scouts

SIR – Sir William Gladstone (Obituaries, April 4) was an extraordinary man. He served his nation in wartime and served his community for many decades in times of peace. His greatest contribution in his time as Chief Scout, from 1972 to 1982, was to help us refocus our efforts in reaching young people in our inner cities.

This work was started by the scouting movement’s founder, Robert Baden-powell, back in 1907 and it continues to this day. In 2013 the Scouts made a public commitment to establish new sections in 200 of the most deprived areas in Britain. Since making that pledge, they’ve added 648 new units in areas of deprivation.

While this has been a great success, we still have more than 50,000 young people on our waiting lists. Anyone who wants to help young people in their community to develop the skills they need for life should get in touch. Bear Grylls

UK Chief Scout London E4