SCOUT extraordinaire and youth awards winner Sam Pope had to be well prepared to lead his Ten Tors team to safety two years ago.

The 18-year-old from Wellington demonstrated superb leadership skills in 2007 when he guided his comrades through the horrendous conditions that led to the abandonment of that year’s event, before returning last year to successfully complete the challenge.

He was a winner in the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.

He’s the chairman of Wellington Explorer Scouts and regularly helps with the younger Scouts. He’s a keen and qualified kayakist who plays a pivotal role in teaching youngsters. He’s also taking a course in sailing so he can teach others.

He said: “The weather in 2007 was dreadful – rivers were swollen and people were in trouble all over the place.

“We had to get to the nearest manned checkpoint, pitch our tents and survive the night. In the morning we had to help others to march across the moor to the evacuation point.”

Click on the Related Link, right, for a Youth Awards photo gallery.