LONDON, 15 APRIL: 24 of the top Scouting volunteers in London were recognised last night for the thousands of hours of their time they give to young people, at a special awards event in Docklands, London.

The award winners were chosen from over 7,800 adult volunteers involved in London Scouting in order to thank them for their outstanding service to young people.

Among them is Russell Vaughan, a 33 year old volunteer Explorer Scout Leader from Greater London North East. Over the last 10 years, Russell has enabled hundreds of London Scouts to experience the thrill of outdoor activities such as mountaineering, rock-climbing and canoeing.

On receiving his award, Russell said: "Young people join Scouting for adventure and that's always what I've tried to offer them - from assault courses for Beavers to international expeditions for Explorer Scouts."

Russell's next project is organising this year's Explorer Scout expedition to Uganda, where a group of 12 young people will be helping to extend and renovate the school at Kamutuuza with the Just Care charity.

The awards were presented at the Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Docklands by two of London's top entrepreneurs - Jack Petchey OBE, former East End office boy and now highly successful property tycoon; and Terry Chimes, founding drummer with The Clash and now chiropractor and owner of one of Europe's most successful practices and the leading chiropractic consultancy in Europe. Both Jack and Terry were Scouts in their youth and have now been announced as London's first "Scouting Ambassadors".

Commenting on his new role, Jack Petchey said: "I learnt so much through Scouting, including to always have a positive attitude to life. Now I want to help today's young people have the same opportunities I had."

"Growing up in London I wanted outdoor adventure and excitement", added Terry Chimes. "Scouting gave me that opportunity. We need more adult volunteers in Scouting so that every young person gets that chance in life."

Figures by The Scout Association show, that despite the increasing popularity of the Movement, The Scout Association faces the ongoing challenge of recruiting adult volunteers. At present there are nearly 1,800 young people on waiting lists in London, all of whom wish to take advantage of the adventure and excitement Scouting can offer.