A determined Scout is hoping to become an Explorer and make his way to South Korea by raising money through cake sales, planned events and raffles.

Christian Gayle from Sittingbourne is one of four of the towns Scouts to be selected for the World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in 2023.

The eager 12-year-old is hoping to raise £4,000 so he can join more than 40,000 Scouts from all over the world.

All funds raised will help other Scouts from across the globe attend the Jamboree if they are unable to finance themselves.

Christian, a pupil at Borden Grammar School, has been both a Beaver and Cub before he became a Scout last summer.

His mum, Claudette, said: "Christian needs to raise £4,000 to make his trip viable. He has a GoFundMe page but we sat down and discussed the best way we could raise all of the funds.

"He will get £1,000 in grants and then he worked out that if he can get £1,500 on the GoFundMe page the remaining £1,500 can be raised through things like events, raffles and cake sales."

The WSJ is a World Organisation of the Scout Movement event, that happens every four years, in a different country.

Young people aged between 14 and 17 are selected to take part in the Scout experience where they can meet others just like them from across the world.

So far Christian, who is also a young carer to his older sister Heather, has raised just over £500 on his GoFundMe page, however he plans to host a cake sale at his school on Shrove Tuesday.

He will also be raising money through a penalty shoot out and an Easter egg raffle during his break and lunch times.

As a team with the three other Scouts attending the Jamboree, Victoria, Aimee and Charlie, Christian will also be raising money helping with car parking.

They will also be running a stall at Bredgar & Wormshill Railway on the first Sunday of the summer months.

There will also be an Easter event along Sittingbourne High Street, where popcorn and candyfloss will be on sale.

On April, 27, there will be a curry night at Lateefs on Bell Road and the Scouts will also be running a stall at Borden Village Fete on Saturday June, 4, and one at Tunstall C of E School on June 11.

Claudette, who has been a parent rep for Scouts and is now volunteering with Sittingbourne 5th on Thursday evenings, said: "Christian’s older brother, Ramone, a 20-year-old who is at Loughborough University, was selected and went to the WSJ event in West Virginia in 2019.

"He now continues to volunteer as a leader when he can, but Christian was chosen to attend the 2023 Jamboree by leaders who did not know his brother so it's great he did it off his own back."

The Jamboree is taking place in July next year and by then Christian, who will be 14 at the time, will move up to the Dragon Explorers.

He said: "I have been doing Scouts for as long as I can remember for that reason I’m thrilled that I have been able to get this opportunity.

"However, to be able to experience WSJ I need your help in raising part of my goal.

"If you are able to support me by donating, any amount no matter how small or big, I will be exceedingly thankful."

To make a donation or find out more click here.