Newark scouts leader is given the Award for Merit at 6th Newark

An inspirational Newark Scout leader has received an Award for Merit.

Dr Margaret McDougald, a Scout leader since 1998, travelled all the way from Scotland after her work shift to be present at a Cub Camp in Newark to receive the award.

The award was for outstanding service ­— keen, conscientious, imaginative and dedicated.

“I don’t really know what I’ve done to deserve it because we’re very lucky with our Cubs, we have very good leaders of all ages,” she said.

“We are a really strong team and we’ve been together for a long time so I don’t know what’s different and special about me, I just do my best.”

Margaret spent ten years in Ethiopia as a doctor in the Afar desert where she helped build a maternity ward and was the only qualified doctor in the region.

She came back to the UK two months into the pandemic to revalidate with the General Medical Council (GMC) and ended up staying to work at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, Scotland.

The 81-year-old plans to go back to Ethiopia in September.

The Scouts have always been an essential part of her life since she was ten.

“All my life, it has had a major influence on my life. I made that promise to the Scouts once, and I’ve always tried to live up to it.” she said.

Jack Kellas, 19, the County Youth Commissioner for Nottinghamshire, said: “It was a real pleasure to present Baloo with this award, having been one of her Cub Scouts nearly ten years ago.

“Over the years she has taught me many things, including the value of community service — something that she leads the way on through a number of volunteering roles.

“Baloo is one of my heroes.”