Jack Petchey Award Scheme

Background
Jack Petchey was born in 1925 and raised in the East End of London with few luxuries. He left school to work in an office for 12 shillings and sixpence (62.5p) a week. After the war he set up his own car hire business which developed in to car sales. By 1959 he was selling 20 cars a week and had 40 hire cars on the road. In 1969 he branched out in to property development and through this became a leading entrepreneur and one of the most successful businessmen in Britain. He is still actively involved in many businesses and charitable enterprises. In 2004 he was awarded an OBE in recognition of his contribution to young people.

The Jack Petchey Foundation was set up in 1999. Its main objective is to help youth projects in East London and West Essex. Over £1.5 million is allocated to this scheme each year. To date over £18 million has been donated.

The summer of 2005 saw Jack Petchey celebrate his 80th birthday. He chose to mark this occasion by presenting The University of London and The Scout Association's Programme and Development department with £500,000 each, the latter being attributed to Jack's fond memories of being a Scout in 1937.

Achievement Awards
To be nominated for an achievement award, the nominee must be aged between 11 and 25 and must not have received an award from this scheme previously. (Some young people receive awards through their schools, and this has no effect on their potential to receive an award through Scouting). If successful, the nominee will receive £200, a framed certificate and a boxed medallion, which is to be presented at Scouting activity or troop/unit night.

To make a nomination, a simple form needs to be completed (either by a peer of the nominee, or a leader). Once completed, the form needs to be sent to the District Petchey team where all nominations will be considered on a monthly basis. We will send you an acknowledgement of your nomination upon its receipt, and a decision on your nomination will be returned to you within 8 weeks. If your nomination is not successful, it will be rolled over to the next month for further consideration.

Examples of why young people have been nominated for an award include:

  • Always helping younger members of their troop or unit
  • Being full of ideas and suggestions for their section
  • Making excellent progress in Scouting and their award work
  • Helping as a Young Leader with a younger section
  • Overcoming personal challenges
  • Enthusiasm and always being available for scouting events
  • Ongoing commitment to scouting as a Beaver, Cub, Scout, Explorer Scout

Examples of how the award has been spent in the past include:

  • Summer / Winter / Survival / Weekend Camps
  • Go-Karting evening
  • Bowling evening
  • Equipment purchases
  • Christmas parties
  • Expeditions abroad
  • Days out

The choice of how to spend the money rests with the award recipient as long as it's practical, achievable and spent on a Scout / Explorer Scout.

In return for receiving the award, all we ask is that you notify us how the money has been spent/allocated within three months, and send us a digital photo of the presentation of the award. This is VITAL as we have to provide feedback to the Jack Petchey Foundation.
 

Leader Awards
To be nominated for a Leader Award, you must be over 25 and have been a member of The Scout Association for at least two years. The award is to recognise the effort, commitment, endeavour and achievement of an adult volunteer who has supported young people in Scouting. These nominations are generally made by other adults (leaders or parents) and are to be supported by at least one other person. The nomination must be kept a secret from the leader concerned.

If successful, the nominee will receive a framed certificate, a boxed gilt medallion and £1,000 to be spent on a project of the winner's choice. All of these awards are to be presented at an annual awards ceremony. These are held in London and are presented by Jack Petchey himself.

How to get involved
Nominations for an award must be made on the appropriate nomination form. There is are separate forms for Achievement Awards and Leader Awards. The Achievement Award Nominations should be completed on the correct form for your Scout Group. All the forms are downloadable from this site. Just click on the link below to Downloads and Further Information. Each Group Scout Leader has been given a supply of the forms. You can also obtain a copy of the forms by contacting your relevant member of the District Petchey Team (see Petchey Team Members below) and we will happily send the relevant information out to you.

You can also nominate online, without having to fill out a form on paper and post it to us. Using the online form which we have set up is quicker and easier and you will receive an instant acknowledgement for your nomination.

If you are lucky enough to have your own headquarters, a special nomination box is available for you, along with a wall chart to record your lucky winners. If you haven't already got a nomination box or wall chart and you would like them, please contact your Petchey Team Member.

All Awards will be displayed on the District Website.