TWO Beaver Scouts from Whitchurch have ticked off one of childhood’s great achievements by obtaining a Bronze Award for collecting their badges.

Maria Shah and William Clapham have both been recognised for their efforts and the unique challenges overcome to obtain the badges.

Maria, seven, a pupil at Whitchurch Junior School, joined the Beavers in 2018 and has taken just over a year to obtain all of her badges, including gardening, science experiments, animal care and even making a water filter.

For the latter badge, Maria’s accomplishment was recognised by Sir David Attenborough with a personally signed letter.

She has also completed 13 staged badges, including paddle-boarding, snow-sports, hiking and sailing, as well as a number of others.

For her efforts Maria was awarded the Bronze Award, the highest award in the Beavers, in a ceremony for Tern Valley Scouts in Telford.

Maria said everyone should join, as she would never have done all the exciting activities had she not joined. She now moves up to Cubs to face more challenges and new badges.

Meanwhile another star performer in Whitchurch has also been collecting his badges.

William, also aged seven, has overcome a muscular condition to also receive a Bronze Award.

He has also had to battle against personal sensory needs to be awarded his personal challenge badge, achieved by wearing his neckerchief all session.

William’s mother Katie Prince says she is “very proud” of her son’s achievements.

“It’s taken William 19 months worth of very hard work, encouragement and perseverance to be able to achieve his award,” said Katie. “We have done them all in the section and only finished the cookery badges at home.

“William has had to try very hard on his badges due to a muscular condition, which made a few badges difficult such as cyclist and sports but he never gave up and kept on trying.

“He is a member of the Whitchurch Federation ocarina group and after overcoming nerves to perform with them onstage at the Blackberry Fair he was awarded his musician badge.

“He achieved nearly all activity badges.

“We are very proud of William and all he has achieved, despite two operations during the time.”