West Lancs Scout Network Member, Alice Burney, a volunteer with 1st New Longton Scout and West Lancashire Scouts, has become the youngest person in the UK to achieve all four of Scouting’s top awards, completing the final award at just 18 years and 200 days old.
Alice, who volunteers as a Squirrel Scout and Scout Section Team Member at 1st New Longton Scout Group, has combined her dedication to leadership with an extraordinary record of adventure, international travel and community impact to achieve the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, King’s Scout Award, Explorer Belt and Scouts of the World Award – the four highest honours available to young people in the Scout Movement.
Alice also undertook the Explorer Belt, Scouting’s most challenging international awards, travelling through North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria. During the expedition she immersed herself in local culture and overcame several unique challenges, including having her fortune told by an oracle in Delphi and cooking the traditional Macedonian dish Tavče Gravče for a local family.
For her Scouts of the World Award, Alice focused on a project with the ability to save lives in rural Malawi. She helped set up a rainwater harvesting tank that provides water for washing clothes. The project aimed to give local people an alternative to washing in a nearby river, where tragically children had previously lost their lives while trying to clean clothes.
Chris, the UK Lead for the Scouts of the World Award, praised Alice’s achievements:
“This award is a culmination of many years of hard work. Alice has taken every opportunity that has been available to her and has made a great difference to the lives of many. To complete all four in just 200 days after her eighteenth birthday is astounding. Alice embodies our Scout values and is a great role model for other young people. We are so proud of what Alice has achieved, and we are excited for all she will go on to do in the future, as she has many more adventures to come.”.
Reflecting on the milestone, Alice said:
“I am really proud of all that I have achieved in Scouting. It has given me so many new skills and has taken me on adventures I could not have imagined. I am really grateful for all the volunteers who have supported me on this journey, and I love repaying that kindness through being a volunteer myself. Scouting has made me more confident, resilient and adventurous. I would encourage everyone to give it a go.”
Cath Lee, County Lead Volunteer for West Lancashire Scouts, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of Alice’s outstanding achievement. Earning all four of Scouting’s top awards at such a young age is inspiring and reflects real dedication, resilience, and the spirit of Scouting – well done Alice!
Alongside completing these prestigious awards, Alice now volunteers her time to help inspire the next generation of Scouts in her local community.
Her achievement highlights the incredible opportunities Scouting offers young people to develop skills for life, take part in international adventures, and make a real difference in communities both locally and around the world.
