A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Canada for 100 young scouts has been cancelled following the discovery that around £200,000 raised for the expedition has gone missing from a charity account. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft by West Mercia Police in connection with the vanished funds. The Hereford and Worcester Scouts group announced the cancellation after an urgent review of the trip's planning uncovered the significant shortfall.
The money, much of which was raised by the children and their families since January 2025, was earmarked for the two-week trip scheduled for this summer. Parents and scouts were informed of the devastating news via a letter, which detailed that the funds had been taken from a dedicated charity account over an extended period. The Scouts Association has confirmed that the Charity Commission is aware of the situation and is assessing the concerns.
The cancellation has left approximately 200 families out of pocket, with individual costs per child potentially reaching £3,000. While parents have been promised refunds, the process is expected to take several weeks. The trip was intended to include visits to areas such as Toronto and Niagara. Scout leaders reportedly attempted to salvage the expedition after the money went missing, but found it financially unviable due to rising costs. Hereford and Worcester Scouts has committed to covering any missing charitable funds to ensure that the young people and their families are not disadvantaged. The arrested man has since been released, and investigations are ongoing.
