Inverness Girlguides hit the heights at London Eye during trip to UK capital
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They may be small in number, but the sky was the limit when four Inverness teenagers made their Girlguiding promise at the top of the London Eye.
The youngsters – who are all members of 4th Inverness Rangers unit – swapped the Highlands for the bright lights of London on a recent three-night trip.
The unit was restarted last year after a pandemic-related pause, so the girls decided their trip up the 135-metre-high landmark offered the perfect opportunity for them all to make their promise.
Unit leader Anna Thomas said: “Our London trip was so much fun and we packed so much in. We did lots of great touristy things like shopping and a boat trip on the Thames, but the girls making their promise together on the London Eye was a very special moment.
“They got to do so many new things, and most importantly they did it with their friends. For some it was their first time in London or plane flight. The girls planned the whole trip down to navigating our way around on the tube and what we ate each day. It was so much busier than life in Inverness but they all did brilliantly.”
Rangers is Girlguiding’s section for 14 to 18-year-olds; offering them space to get together, have fun, learn more, give back, hang out, and just be themselves.
All members of Girlguiding make a promise which includes pledging to always do their best and help others.
The group, based in central Inverness, recently welcomed a new member after she heard about their exciting London trip – and they are keen for more girls to join them.
“Girlguiding offers so much that girls don’t get to do anywhere else,” added Anna. “It gives them so many opportunities and the chance to make brilliant friendships. We would love for more girls to come along and give it a go.”
While they were away, the Inverness teens even managed to bag themselves a new badge each.
They earned their ‘Height’ badge following their plane flight and trip on the London Eye. It is one of a series of
brand-new adventure badges just launched by Girlguiding to encourage girls to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.
Involved in Girlguiding as both a young member and later a leader for 13 years, Anna was keen to find a new unit to lead when she moved to Inverness last year – and was delighted to take on 4th Inverness Rangers.
The group had been mixed in with the local Guide unit during Covid, which meant they had very little finances or resources of their own.
So Anna has been busy applying for grants and funding, which has enabled her to fund lots of fun activities for the group and heavily subsidise their recent London trip.
As the summer approaches, the girls are looking forward to planning their next adventures including beach barbecues at Loch Ness, ice cream shop visits, river trips, bowling and a pyjama relaxation evening for those doing exams.
Girlguiding offers a space where all girls are welcome and free to be themselves. The organisation says it is committed to ensuring that all of its young members and volunteers have a great guiding experience and can take part in all that is on offer, whoever they are and wherever they’re from.
The organisation has a number of grants available to give units, girls and volunteers a helping hand, support trips away, and ensure members with additional needs can fully participate in guiding.
For more information about Girlguiding, including registering your interest to join and the grants and funding available, visit girlguiding.org.uk
