Scouts organiser dedicates BEM to his volunteer team
A retired dentist recognised for his service to Scouting has dedicated his New Year honour to everyone on his team of volunteers.
David Scrafton, of Cleadon Village, was given the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the Scouts and the community in Sunderland and South Tyneside.
He was one of a number of South Tynesiders on the list, which included Richard Ord, the owner of muchloved family chip shop business Colmans in South Shields, and Terry Fitzpatrick, the founder and director of ARC Adoption North East, who were both made MBEs in
the honours list.
“To say I was surprised is an understatement,” said David.
"I’m obviously delighted
and honoured.
"But really it’s something that should be looked upon as an award for all of the other members of the team I’m involved with, rather than just something for myself.”
David, of Whitburn Road East, is also involved in the village cricket team, which plays at Oakley Gardens, and regularly campaigns for work to improve the area.
He hopes to contribute towards a series of renovation projects at the West Hall Scout campsite in Whitburn over the c oming years, a s well as help secure funding for fencing and other mainte n a n c e wo rk i n th e a rea around the Cleadon Village pond.
David’s roots in the Scouts go back to childhood, and he is now focused on ensuring future generations can get the same enjoyment he has had from the movement.
"I’ve been involved with the Scouts all my life – since
I was a youngster, really,” he said.
“About 30 years ago, I was asked to be president of South Tyneside Scouts, which was when I really became a lot more involved with the Scout campsite at West Hall.
“We do our best to keep things tidy and to make sure they’re in as good a nick as possible for the next generation. We have a good crack-on as well when we’re doing it.
“There are about a dozen of us who carry out the maintenance work and who have been working to obtain grants for the campsite area for a number of years now.”
He added: "Obviously, due to the current Covid restrictions, this work has had to be continued on a much more individual basis, which is a shame.”