A SCOUT from Stockbridge is cycling 7,500 kilometres in a bid to raise money to a trip to Tanzania.

Ben Ferris will be joining Hampshire Scouts for a fourweek camping expedition next summer.

The 14 year-old hopes to help build a school in the village of Madabada.

As an Andover Explorer Scout, Ben is one of 18 scouts from Andover District Scouts to take part in four community building projects, which is organised by Andover Scouter Julian Sore, owner of Jools UK in Andover.

All of the scouts have to raise £3500 by themselves to pay for their food, travel, and materials used for the building the village’s new school.

His mother, Rebecca Ferris, said: “I think it’s absolutely amazing. I’m not sure I could have done it at his age. At 14 years-old he has so much drive and ambition."

A keen cyclist, Ben is cycling the equivalent distance from Andover to Madabada in Tanzania on a turbo trainer to raise money for the excursion.

So far this year, he has cycled 3000 kilometres and has raised £959. The teenager cycled 64 miles in four hours at the Stockbridge fete on Saturday, June 18.

His mum added: “He’s very much looking forward to it.”

You can donate by visiting https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/benferrisexp