Eight-year-old Scout Saul Anning wins national kindness award
Saul Anning of Bishop’s Waltham received the Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes Award for growing his hair for three years to donate wigs to children with cancer and raising over £1,500. His quiet determination and empathy earned him recognition from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at Gilwell Park.
Bishop’s Waltham’s eight-year-old Scout Saul Anning has been named one of the UK’s top young changemakers after transforming personal grief into lifeline support for children battling cancer. Saul, a member of 1st Bishop’s Waltham Scouts, was presented with the Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes Award 2026 by Dwayne Fields at a ceremony at Gilwell Park, the global headquarters of the Scout movement.
His story began three years ago when Saul, then five, lost his grandfather—known affectionately as Tiade—to cancer. Instead of retreating, the young Scout chose action. He committed to growing his hair long enough to donate to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free wigs to children undergoing cancer treatment. The challenge was quietly pursued, despite teasing from peers who misunderstood his resolve.
Key Points
- ✅ Saul Anning, 8, from Bishop’s Waltham, received the Chief Scout’s Unsung Heroes Award 2026
- ⚡ Donated 18cm of hair to Little Princess Trust, enough for two wigs
- 💡 Raised £1,500+ independently through community efforts
With unwavering support from his mother Veronique, Saul completed the three-year hair-growing mission. The donation resulted in two wigs being made for children in need. But Saul didn’t stop there—his compassion drove him to raise over £1,500 in donations, amplifying the impact of his personal sacrifice.
| Saul’s Impact | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Donation | Short, everyday style | 18cm donated; enough for two wigs |
| Fundraising | No prior charity efforts | £1,500+ raised for children’s wigs |
| Community Response | Peer misunderstandings | Recognised by Scouts UK leadership |
“Saul is such a kind, loving child,” Veronique said. “He never wanted the attention. He just wanted to help other children feel better, like he was helping Tiade.” Saul’s sensitivity—he has lived with hearing issues since childhood—has shaped his deep empathy for others, especially those facing illness. His quiet leadership earned him not only local admiration but national recognition.
📋 By The Numbers
- 18 cm — Length of hair donated to Little Princess Trust
- 2 — Number of wigs funded by Saul’s donation
- 50,000+ — Total raised collectively by Unsung Heroes 2026 recipients
The Unsung Heroes Award celebrates Scouts aged four to 24 who use Scouting values to make tangible differences. Saul’s story is one of resilience and empathy—qualities instilled through his Scouting journey. This year’s cohort collectively raised over £50,000, volunteered hundreds of hours, and even helped save lives through first aid interventions.
💡 Pro Tip
Encourage young people to channel personal experiences into meaningful action—small acts of kindness can ripple outward, creating community strength and individual empowerment.
Saul, who has already begun growing his hair again in preparation for a second donation, embodies the Scout promise in its purest form. His actions remind us all that heroism isn’t measured by scale, but by the quiet courage to care.
- 🔍 Saul’s award reflects a growing trend in youth-led social impact within Scouting
- 📊 Over 1,000 young people were nominated for Unsung Heroes 2026
- ⚠️ Only 20 were selected, making Saul’s achievement rare and significant
The awards ceremony at Gilwell Park marked a turning point not just for Saul, but for the Scout movement’s visibility in championing youth empathy. As Dwayne Fields remarked during the presentation: “They represent what Scouting is truly about—building skills, using them to do good, and giving everyone a place to belong.”