Toyota GB helps Surrey Scouts prepare for world jamboree

A group of Scouts and Explorers from across Surrey have been given a helping hand by Toyota GB in their bid to reach the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

The gathering is held roughly every four years and attracts tens of thousands of Scouts and Guides from across the globe, who come together to experience different cultures, make new friends and enjoy a variety of adventurous activities. Approximately 4,500 representatives from the UK will attend next year's event and Toyota has been doing its bit to make the trip a reality by offering advice and making a £19,000 donation.

More than 50 young people from around the county converged on Toyota's headquarters near Epsom to take part in an activity day aimed at helping them prepare for their trip to the Far East. As part of the event, the group spent time clearing woodland in the area before listening to Toyota GB’s executive director Masa Nohara describe some of the cultural differences they are likely to experience on their arrival in Japan and while staying with host families in the country.

Toyota is a leading UK automotive firm, with retail partners such as Inchcape Toyota located across Britain, as well as one of the world's largest multinational companies. Rob Giles, Toyota GB's director in charge of corporate social responsibility, spoke to the Scouts and Explorers about the formation of the Japanese firm back in 1937, its current position in the marketplace and its corporate values.

He said: "At Toyota, supporting and contributing to the local communities where we live and work has always been at the heart of our operations and we have helped a number of Scout groups in the area through the Toyota Fund for a Better Tomorrow. However, the occasion of the World Scout Jamboree has allowed us to make a bigger contribution for Scouts across the whole of Surrey."

Young people who took part were each given £200 by Toyota GB to put towards their individual fundraising totals. In addition, the manufacturer also handed over an additional £8,000 to the Surrey County Jamboree Fund to help pay for equipment that will be needed ahead of the next year's event, due to take place in Yamaguchi City between July 28 and August 8.

Bryan Chatbourn, leader of the UK Scout Association's contingent to the World Scout Jamboree, added: "The World Scout Jamboree in Japan is an incredible experience that will change the lives of all the 30,000 young people who attend.

"Not only is it an adventure, but meeting and working with young people from almost every nation on earth helps foster intercultural learning and tolerance which is badly needed in today's world. Toyota's support in helping young people from across the globe build more peaceful and tolerant communities is greatly appreciated."