Dominic Walker is a 13-year-old student at Esher High School in Addlestone in Surrey. He is an Air Scout at the 9th Walton-on-Thames Troop, having started in the Scout movement as a Beaver at the age of 6. In his quest to gain his Chief Scout Award, he had to complete a number of challenges to earn various badges to achieve this major award, including a ‘Global Badge’. For that purpose, Dominic had to research a global issue, and he chose the crisis in Syria, because he had heard on the news about what is happening there. The plight of the Syrian children, in particular, caught Dominic’s interest, and he decided to do something to help.
So, upon the suggestion of his Mum Louise and Step-Dad Andy, Dominic decided to do a 13.6-mile circular walk, starting from Catteshall Lock in Godalming. The walk was done with the National Trust, and was organized by the River Wey Navigation at Dapdune Wharf.
Dominic started raising sponsorship, and he completed the walk on 28th October 2012. He managed to raise a magnificent £120, which he has very kindly donated to Syria Relief. He did not even complain of any aching until he reached the 10-mile mark!.. What a trooper!..
On 29th November, 2012, Dominic was awarded the Chief Scout Badge by the District Commissioner, much to his joy, and to the pride of his loving parents.
What makes this achievement that much more remarkable is that Dominic has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism, and suffers from ADHD, which means that he had to work much harder to achieve this remarkable deed.
God bless you, Dominic, and a very big and sincere ‘Thank You’ from the children of Syria for the magnificent work you are doing for them.
To donate to Syria Relief, and support needy families in Syria, click here.