TV star pops in as 1,500 Scouts set up camp

May 31 2010 by Vicky Robson, The Journal

ADVENTURER Bear Grylls made dreams come true for youngsters from the North East yesterday.

The daredevil documentary maker - who is Chief Scout – paid a special visit to Beanley near Powburn in Northumberland, where he met 1,500 Scouts who had travelled to the three-day camp from all over the region.

The 35-year-old joined in activities including climbing and survival techniques such as skinning a rabbit.

His trip to the region came as he embarked on a mammoth bank holiday mission to visit more than 10,000 Scouts taking part in outdoor pursuits over the weekend.

And dreams came true for youngsters in the North East who met their hero during his whirlwind helicopter tour between filming in Asia and Australia.

Grylls, who became a Cub Scout at the age of eight, went to Northumberland on Saturday before travelling to South Shields as part of his mission to attend 24 events.

He took his seven-year-old son Jesse with him to Northumberland.

Grylls said: “He has joined as a Beaver. He loves it.”

The TV thrill-seeker also said he had fun taking part in the adrenaline-fuelled activities and paid tribute to the Scouts he met.

“They are an inspiration. It’s great to see it. It’s all about friendship and fun and adventure – people who might not normally have the chance for adventure.”