Scout Association Receives $1500 Donation

Marsh and Guy Carpenter have donated $1,500 to the Bermuda Scout Association. The donation will go toward buying training materials, uniforms, and gear for new BSA volunteers and recruits.

“We are pleased to be able to make this donation and are particularly inspired by the Scout Association because we have three employees who have been instrumental in revitalizing the organisation,” said David Ezekiel, Bermuda chairman of Marsh & McLennan Companies and chairman of Marsh’s Bermuda Charity Committee.

Tim Smith, finance manager at Marsh IAS Management Company (Bermuda) Ltd. and leader of 19th Bermuda Cub Scouts, has been working with the BSA for more than 19 years. In 2011 when the organisation had all but disappeared in Bermuda, he took it upon himself to revive it.

By recruiting fellow Marsh employees Roy Bray and Nicolas Plianthos to serve as president and treasurer, as well as two volunteers from his cub scout leaders to serve as chief commissioner and secretary, he was able to reform the BSA. Since then, the association has been developing its infrastructure, bylaws, and constitution. In addition, the BSA has seen the start of three new cub packs and two new scout troops in the past year.

“We have gone from 36 cubs to 80 and 11 scouts to 30,” Mr. Smith said. “And with generous contributions like the one from Marsh and Guy Carpenter, as well as volunteers who give their time, we can ensure the trend continues.”

The aim of the scout progamme is to assist in the development of boys between the ages 8 and 25 in their physical, intellectual, and social potential, and to instill values resulting in young boys becoming responsible citizens in the community.

“The need in Bermuda for leadership and direction for our young men has never been greater than it is now, and I believe that the scout movement can play an important role in providing that,” said Mr. Smith.

“It has been a busy year for us,” said Dr. Geoffrey Rothwell, chief commissioner of the BSA. “We’ve got boys who want to participate but the real challenge has been trying to find adult volunteers who are willing to give their time to keep scouting a going concern. Of course, we also rely heavily on corporate donations and fundraising activities to purchase and maintain the necessary equipment. Additionally, given the economic downturn, we have found ourselves having to sponsor a growing number of scouts.”

For more information or to donate to the Bermuda Scout Association, [reg charity 035] contact Bermuda Scout Association at bermudascout@hotmail.com.

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