Scouts in Letchworth and Baldock have inaugurated an award celebrating the life of a friend who sadly died aged just 18.
Kaitlin Anderson – who died on August 31, 2015 – lived with the genetic condition cystic fibrosis but never let it get in the way of her life as a member of the 11th Letchworth Scouts.
Starting at this year’s district annual meeting in May, Letchworth & Baldock District Scouts who have disabilities will be saluted with the Kaitlin Anderson Award.
Caroline Catherell, Beaver Scout leader at the 11th Letchworth Scouts, said: “The award has been set up to recognise young people from the age of six upwards who have either a visible or non-visible disability that they have not let get in the way of their scouting life.
“Kaitlin had cystic fibrosis, an auto-immune disease that can affect the pancreas and other organs in the body – a non-visible disability.
“She was extremely good at art, she loved to sing and she always put her friends before herself, She was very close to her mum and sisters, who she adored.
“This award has been put together in loving memory of Kaitlin.”
Caroline added that she would like to thank James Pepper of Hitchin, Letchworth & Baldock Lions and Letchworth Rotary for their help getting the award off the ground.
The award is a piece of granite engraved with the words ‘The Kaitlin Anderson Award’ and’ For Young People in Scouting’.
Each year’s winner will keep it for 12 months before passing it on. They will then receive an engraved shield and certificate to keep.
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