HUNDREDS of children in 13 yachts sailed from Guernsey to Poole to celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.

Young people from across the UK, including a team from the Gorsemoor Scout Group, crossed the channel, conquering the elements in an overnight race to Poole Harbour.

The youngest team in the race, Gorsemoor Scouts had sailors as young as 12 crewing the Discovery Sailing Project Thermopylae Clipper yacht, which has previously taken part in round-the-world races.

The Gorsemoor ScoutsThe Gorsemoor Scouts (Image: NQ)

Daniel Goodliffe, Scout leader, said: “This experience is transformative for young people, they go in one person and come out another.

“It builds confidence it builds skills. Being in that small space, having to live and work together build resilience, team work and dedication.”

Before embarking on this massive feat, Verity Hayter, a Gorsemoor Scout, had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a member of royalty to not only the group but also the wider Scouting family.

Verity invested Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and in doing so, was able to remind the Duchess of the Scout Promise and placed the group necker (a scarf which represents the group a Scout belongs to).

Verity said: “The experience was quite nerve wracking. The Duchess of Edinburgh is now a happy member of Gorsemoor Scouts.”

Speaking on the race, Verity said: “It was great, a very smooth sail. It was difficult overcoming the lack of wind, because it was quite frustrating not being able to move anywhere.”

The group overcame this challenge by sitting on the edge of the boat so it could catch the wind.

Verity added: “I really enjoyed the night watches. It was so different to what I normally do, everyone was really friendly and I think sailing has brought us even closer.”

Implementing all the hard work and skills that the group had built through their time in Scouts, the young people were very proud to cross the finish line in the first place.

The group is keen to support the Discovery Sailing Project, the Scout based charity which made their amazing feat possible. The yacht needs a huge refurbishment, totalling £200,000, and the group is fundraising for half the amount.