Ampthill Cubs with the winning trophy

When nine year old Cub Scout Mariska Demmers of Flitwick became ill with leukaemia in February, her many friends in the Flitwick Scout Group rallied round to help. They wrote ‘get well’ cards and sent her little messages of encouragement to support her as she battled with chemo therapy.

It's a goal

But, on World Cup weekend, they went one better. Over 50 caring Cub Scouts from Ampthill, Barton, Flitwick, Harlington and Maulden staged their own sponsored World Cup tournament to raise funds for the CLIC Sargent charity that is looking after Mariska. Seven teams of Cub Scouts aged 8 to 10 battled for first place at the Brache Sports Centre in Maulden. Organised by Scout Leader Nicky Taylor and supervised by members of the Maulden Magpies, the Cubs played 42 matches in three hours wearing colours close to world cup teams. The winners, wearing the dark blue of Spain, were Ampthill. The team won five of their six matches to earn a world beating 16 points finally beating rivals Barton Falcons in the last match of the day.

Oliver Dimmock from rivals Barton Falcons

The tournament raised £320 for the CLIC Sargent charity. It will go towards the total of £150,000 in the nationwide ‘Kick for children with cancer’ event the charity is hosting. Mrs Taylor said, “I am really proud of them. This was a great effort and shows how much these youngsters care for others.”

NOTES: ‘Kick for children with cancer’ is a national sponsored football event organised by CLIC Sargent to raise funds for the care of children with leukaemia and other cancers. The event runs from May to the end of July and the organisers expect to raise at least £150,000 with the help of over 100,000 children. Events can be as varied as a penalty shoot out or a keepy uppy challenge or a rerun of the world cup competition. The funds will help to support children with cancer and their families. For more information go to: www.clicsargent.org.uk.

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