A volunteer scout leader had the "most surreal experience" being surprised by Bear Grylls on a national television show.
Sharmine Chowdhury-Tse appeared on BBC's The One Show - One Big Thank You segment last Thursday (September 21).
Every week the programme offers thanks to someone who has gone the extra mile to help others in their community.
Sharmine, founder of toddler group Busy Rascals, became a volunteer at the 20th Willesden Scout Group in 2021 and used her skills to grow the division from five to 45 members.
The mum-of-two, who became leader of the group, is credited with attracting more young people, giving them skills for life, and helping the community.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls went undercover in disguise as sound engineer 'Pete' to surprise Sharmine and to thank her.
She also received messages from family, friends, members of her scout group and scouting ambassador Julia Bradbury.
"Meeting Bear Grylls was the most surreal experience, I'm still processing it," said Sharmine.
"I was just asked to come to the BBC and help out by speaking about community work and volunteering and it wasn't that at all."
She said she had "no idea" the sound engineer was Bear, who could be heard interrupting Sharmine to get the best sound quality, at one point kneeling and bringing the microphone to her face.
Sharmine added: "What people don't realise is that it was going on for a long period, there were so many stop starts I was losing the flow of what I wanted to say.
"I was asked questions and it was a ploy for him to get closer and closer to me.
"Afterwards the crew asked if I'd thought about what he was doing, but I didn't know what I thought, I was just conscious of seeing more and more camera crews."
Sharmine set up the Busy Rascals toddler group in The Queensbury pub in 2012 which came to an end in the pandemic.
The pub in Walm Lane has since been knocked down for redevelopment.
She became aware that the scouts group needed help as her eldest son Noah was a member.
She added: "I had no scouting experience and was quite a big challenge, the numbers were dwindling and there were only a few volunteers.
"I came with my ideas. I tried to create a warm environment that anyone could come and join.
"I very much believe it's great for young people to have another place other than home or school to go to, where they can be cared for and connect with others, especially now post Covid."
With barely any experience or desire to go camping, she realised she had to give young people, including her two sons, the opportunity and in the last year has accompanied the group on five camps. "I had to get out of my comfort zone," she said.
"The One Big Thank You was very emotional and I'm very grateful for the thanks from everyone.
"I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be recognised for the work I have been doing in the community with Scouts and previously with Busy Rascals.
"I must say though that Scouts would not run without all of the volunteers who do amazing work in the community -
"I am very fortunate to be part of such a brilliant team who also deserve this recognition and it’s lovely to receive such thanks on behalf of women and other minorities who are underrepresented, who give up a lot of their time and efforts in Scouts and elsewhere".
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