THREE Penarth Scouts have been chosen from hundreds of applicants to represent Wales at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

Owain Havard, Jonathan Wright and Thomas Mullet are now hoping to raise more than £9,000 between them so they can attend the ‘World Cup for Scouts’ in 2015.

All three boys had to go through a rigorous selection process to be chosen as only 72 Scouts/Explorer Scouts from Wales attend the four yearly event.

The boys had to fill in an application form and, after hundreds of applications had been whittled down, compete against 200 others at a selection day at Glasbury near Hay on Wye. During the selection day they completed Scouting skills and team building exercises, before having to wait a week for the phone call to say whether they had made it or not.

Owain, 14, said that he felt “honoured and excited” to be chosen to attend the event that will be held in Kirara-Hama, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

“To be going to the Jamboree is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

“I will meet Scouts from around the world and experience their cultures. I can’t wait to go to see how Scouting is carried out in other countries and to experience Japanese Culture.”

He added: “It will also be great to represent Wales and show everyone the Welsh Culture. At the moment I’m enjoying the start of the journey raising funds and getting to know the rest of my unit.”

During the 20-day trip will be spending one day off site going to Hiroshima as it will be the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

All three boys, who are also District Explorer Scouts, have come through the ranks of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to become Young Leaders at 94th Penarth.

The boys have to raise £3,000 each to go and are hoping to hold a number of fundraising events to reach their targets. They will be doing this by running coffee mornings, book fayres, car boot sales, and offering cleaning and gardening services. In the future they are also running a Christmas Fayre and a sponsored walk up Pen-y-van.

Their next event is a Summer Fayre on Saturday, May 10, from 10am until 3pm at Stanwell Road, Baptist Church Hall. They will have plants, books, cakes, bric a brac, games and hot dogs from midday. Entry is free.

District Commissionaire Julian Jordan added: "We are very proud in Penarth to have three of our Explorer Scout attending the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015. It is like the World Cup for Scouts with every country in the world that has Scouting sending a representative; over 200 countries will be there. In Penarth we have a long tradition of having young people attending but this is the first time in long time that we have had three. We are looking forward to when they return and them talking with our 500 other members about their experiences and inspiring the next generation."

Leaders of 94th Penarth added:

“They have always shown dedication and pride in what they do. They are wonderful lads going on a fantastic journey. The 94th Penarth as a Group are extremely proud of them.”