OLIVER Acaster from Launceston has been raising money since 2017 in order to take part in the World Scout Jamboree, which takes place in the United States at the end of July.

Oliver, a student from Launceston College, has had to raise a total of £4,000 to be able to take part, which he has mostly raised from events organised solely by himself.

At only 15-years-old, he has been relentless in coming up with different fundraisers to reach his target, as well as contacting local vendors to support his campaign. Most recently Oliver organised a cake sale at his home on Sunday, April 14 and managed to raise an impressive £385. Oliver explained that this was the last of his fundraisers he needed to put on, to get him up to the amount required.

He said: “The total currently stands at just under £4,000 so I’m going to make the rest up myself, with some pocket money and me putting in a few hours of work.

“Previously I’ve organised several other cake sales and some raffles which has helped me come up with the amount needed. I have been raising money since December 2017 so I’ve had plenty of time.”

On several occasions, Oliver and a unit of scouts went to various supermarkets and did bag packing to help raise some funds for the trip.

To be selected for the trip Oliver attended a group session in Bodmin, where a total of 72 scouts were hoping to be one of the 28 selected for the journey to West Virginia.

According to Oliver, they were each put into groups and set tasks to complete.

He said: “We had to do a load of different activities and it was all really about teamwork. I got selected as one of the lucky 28 and can’t wait to go!”

Oliver explained that this will be his first time outside of Europe. He said: “I can’t wait to experience everything out there, the different cultures and meet lots of new people who will be from a variety of different backgrounds.

“There will be people from a variety of counties and I’m looking forward to making some new friends.”

The Jamboree takes place between July 22 and August 2 and will play host to over 45,000 scouts from across the globe.

As well as Oliver, two others from Launceston were lucky enough to be selected for the trip as well, Alice Bariball and Sam Luckhurst.

Oliver said: “I would like to thank some of those who have been really supportive of me along the way, Rodda’s Creamery who gave me the cream and jam for the cake sale in April, Mike Prywood, Aidy Harvey at No.8, Hellen Egg from Zumba, the Launceston Rotary Club, Carla Barnard from Compass, also Jo Downs, Specsavers and Tesco who supplied me with a variety of different raffle prizes.”