Scouts climb Everest without leaving the local shopping centre

9:00am Thursday 12th March 2009

SCOUTS climbed the height of Everest – but did it within the safety of a shopping centre.

About 40 youngsters, aged five to 14, continuously clambered over a one-metre high wooden trestle in the middle of George Yard, Braintree, in a bid to climb just over 8,800 metres.

Starting at 9am on Saturday, the members of 1st Braintree Scout Group reached their target at 3.30pm.

They raised about £800 for a new roof and kitchen at their John Ray Street headquarters.

Assistant Cub Scout leader Andy Southgate said: “1st Braintree Scouts is the oldest group in the town. We were 100 years old last year and we are in a hut that was built in 1927, so it needs a lot of work.”

The total cost of the work is about £50,000 and the project has been ongoing for five years.

Next fundraiser is a quiz on March 21, at the HQ at 7.30pm.

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