DIOGENE De Souza is an inspirational Scout volunteer based in Hanwell and who works at Heathrow Airport.

When he started on the graduate scheme at the airport, he was made aware of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.

As his parents had been involved in Scouting in Goa, he decided he would volunteer with Scouts locally. He contacted the Scouts in Ealing and Hanwell and, in September 2019, his journey as a volunteer with Scouts started.

The first evening was “Trading Post” and, according to Dio, it was manic. He thoroughly enjoyed it and was hooked.

Partway through the Duke of Edinburgh award, he decided he wanted to continue working with Explorer Scouts (boys and girls aged 14 to17).

He wanted to be able to offer more adventurous activities to young people and completed the training and assessments for taking young people on camps and gained his hill walking permit.

He is also now a county adviser for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

He actively encourages the 91 Explorers in his unit to get involved in planning, organising and delivering the programme for each term.

He also encourages many in the unit to be young leaders and to help out at Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs.

Dio said: “The reason I volunteer is it gives me so much enjoyment. The other volunteers bring different skills, knowledge and experience and it’s great to see how we all work as a team.”

“If you want to be a volunteer with any of the Scout sections (boys and girls aged 4 to 17), contact www.scouts.org.uk