TWO Winchester scouts are raising money for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the organisations world jamboree in West Virginia next year.

Tona Loving and Jamie Benwell, both 12, are from the 3rd Winchester Worthies, and after a challenging selection camp, they have been chosen as two of 136 scouts from Hampshire to join more than 40,000 young people and 20,000 volunteers from across the globe in the USA.

Tona said: “We need to raise £3,790 each to cover costs such as flights and insurance, as well as our training which we need to complete beforehand.”

The pair will be organising multiple fundraising events, including stalls at markets, talent nights, discos, film afternoons and bingo, as well as taking part in sponsored activities, and a ten mile hike.

They have already completed a sponsored climb with Tona’s friends from her climbing club and Tona and Jamie’s friends from Scouts.

Sponsored by Golden Gecko of Romsey, they managed to climb nearly twice the height of the tallest mountain in West Virginia – Bunker Hill – which 3,498m high. Between them it took the equivalent of 18 hours.

They asked local MP Steve Brine for help who donated a bottled of House of Commons wine signed by prime minister Theresa May, to be auctioned at an upcoming event.

Mr Brine said: “I was really interested to hear about Tona and Jamie’s activity ahead of the World Scout Jamboree in 2019.

“I was a cub and a scout myself and absolutely loved every single moment of my time, my only regret being the dates never fell in a way that gave me the opportunity to attend a Jamboree.”

“I think it is a unique event and am so excited for them both as they embark on what will be I am sure a life-changing opportunity.”

You can find out more and contribute to their fundraising effort via https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/tonaloving1 and https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jamiebenwell1