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Hi Steve. Thanks for talking to me about your ‘date with The Duchess’ yesterday! Tell me a bit about yourself and your background and how you came to be at the Beaver meeting last night.
I went on to become a para-triathlete as I love running,
but it can be painful, so I swim and cycle too. Then I go back to
running when the pain has stopped. I was British champion in my
category and also won world champion status. I decided to set up my
own business as a motivational speaker (I have recently
got back from Mexico where I did some speaking); I feel I have a
skill and should share it and my story with others.
The Beaver meeting was about learning and understanding about those
with disabilities, and I was there to talk about myself and how I
managed to get to the position I am in now, as a Cub Leader
of 6th Eckington Scout Group in Derbyshire
(which I absolutely love).
I was asked to the event yesterday and told there was going to be a
special guest, and I just assumed it would be Bear Grylls or
someone like that, but I was told on the night it would be The
Duchess!
Steve with his Cubs
So how did you become involved with Scouting?
I was Cub Scout from the age of eight to 10 and a half, and my
first three badges were swimming cycling and running. These served
me very well later on in life; again it proves the point that
Scouting gives young people the opportunity to try different skills
and develop themselves. I didn’t know then that I would become a
world champion in paratriathlon.
Since my son and daughter (Robert and Susannah) joined the Scouts,
I have gone back to the movement to volunteer my services and time
as a Cub Leader.
I want to offer scouting opportunities to the community that I live
in so that they can have fun challenge and adventure. As well as
this I want them to have life skills that may help them in their
future. Similar to my inspirational and motivational talks I want
to give something back in life and in Scouting…just like The
Duchess. If she’s got time to volunteer, everyone else can too, and
her involvement shows that message.
Steve with his son and daughter, Robert and Susannah
What was it like to meet The Duchess of Cambridge?
She was so, so nice. She was asking the Beavers what they were
doing and what badges they had. I was aware I was there to talk to
them about my story, but she was really interested in them, and I
didn’t want to spoil the moment for them. They didn’t quite realise
who it was and so were being like other normal 5-8 year olds:
noisy, cheeky, disruptive. You can tell she’s a parent. They’d be
chatting away and she’d say something like: “Oh that’s interesting.
Shall we listen now?” When they’re older I’m sure
they’ll be like ‘Oh yeah, I remember when I met The Duchess of
Cambridge!’
Then she spoke with me, and was asking all about my talks and what
I had planned for the future. I really enjoyed the night. I’ve been
replaying the night in my head ever since.
Was Kate good at the activities? They looked hard!
She was! We tried to do things blindfolded with a guide, like
blind athletes do. And we also tried to sign the Scouts code [‘I
promise to do my best, to be kind and helpful and to love my
world’] She could have just stood there with her hands at her side
and not taken part, but she had a go and pitched in. She was
down-to-earth. She didn’t know what she was doing – neither
did I – but we copied the person who was showing us what to do.
It’s important for Beavers to just have a go at different skills
and she demonstrated that to them.
During the activities, she’d get down onto the kids’ level and
talk to them. She asked how she could help, keen to get involved.
You can see she’s caring and active.
At the end of the night, Catherine handed out the badges to
everyone. Considering there was about 20 kids there, she took her
time, and asked them all about their badges and where they would
put their new one. It was lovely to see and again you can see
she has a son. She impressed me – I’d give her 10/10.
Can you pick a favourite part of the night?
It would have to be the closing ceremony, when Kate handed out
the badges.
You can read more about Steve’s story at steve-judge.co.uk
Photos: Steve Judge/Martyn Milner/Scouting Association]]>
