The Royal Forest of Dean’s Inferno Explorer Scouts based at based at Aston Ingham near Ross-on-Wye, secured funding for their next adventure in Australia thanks to the Great Wye Swim.

More than 60 competitors took the plunge in Monmouth School Sports Club’s fifth Great Wye Swim in May. The event raised £1,026.34 for the Explorer Scouts, who have manned the safety boats every year since the swim started.

Now a group of 16 Inferno Explorer Scouts, will be heading to Brisbane on August 7th for a jamboree. The scouts will also be taking in Sydney and Cairns.

Andy Heaysman, Inferno Explorer Scouts’ leader, said: “This is the first time we will be travelling to Australia as an exchange group and we can’t wait.

“We are very grateful to Monmouth School Sports Club for the donation which we will use to help pay for our ground-breaking trip.”

Event organiser, Mr Iain MacDonald, who manages the sports club, said: “Members of the Royal Forest of Dean Inferno Explorer Scouts are a worthy cause because they have helped us run our event safely every year.

“We hope the group has a memorable and enjoyable adventure in Australia and we look forward to working with them again in our Great Wye Swim next year.”