A YOUNG scout from Saltney received high praise and a top award from a celebrity adventurer.

In January, 10-year-old Alfie Watts was seriously injured in a hit and run incident.

During his recovery he received well wishes and gifts from Scout ambassadors, including TV star and chief scout Bear Grylls.

Chester and District Standard:

Bear Grylls surprises Alfie with his award

Over the weekend Mr Grylls flew into Hawarden airport to surprise Alfie and personally present him with a chief Scout award.

Not only did Alfie receive praise from Mr Grylls for his bravery and resilience, he and his friends were treated to a helicopter ride - to their utter surprise and delight.

Richard Hebden, Scouts district commissioner for Flintshire, told the Leader: “Alfie has gone through life changing experiences.

“I was asked what we could do as Scouting to support this young man and his family.

“[Scout] ambassadors came together and got some gifts for him - astronaut Tim Peake then sent him a video.

Chester and District Standard:

Alfie Watts shows his award with mum Zoe Grundy, dad John Watts and brother Charlie Watts

“The whole time it was about lifting Alfie’s spirits as he’s coming through the rough of it all, making life better and happier for him. He’s such a positive young man.

“Bear Grylls and Dwayne Fields, one of our ambassadors, have surprised him with the chief scout award - which has been given by the chief scout himself.”

Mr Grylls said: “One of the privileges of being chief scout is being able to do nice things for unsung hung heroes.

“Alfie has been through such a battle. When we all heard about what he had been through our hearts were all breaking.

“To be able to come and give him something good and hopefully lift his spirits means a lot.

“This is what scouting is about - we always have each other’s back we look after each other.

“We’re a family and Alfie - you’re an incredible young man. It has been an honour to present you with this chief scout award for courage, bravery and resilience - good for you.”

Chester and District Standard:

District commissioner Richard Hebden and Bear Grylls with Alfie, his brother Charlie and friends Oliver Murray-Newton, Robyn Supple and Millie Ann-Jones after the helicopter trip

Alfie’s parents Zoe Grundy and John Watts told the Leader of the emotional journey they have endured since the incident.

Miss Grundy, 40, said: “It’s hard to describe in words. No parents should have to see what we saw at the roadside, or deal with what we had to deal with - under no circumstances.

“He (Alfie) is shocked and astounded at the medical profession, because in theory he shouldn’t be here now. He wasn’t alive at the roadside.

Chester and District Standard:

Bear Grylls getting ready for takeoff with Alfie, his brother Charlie and friends Oliver Murray-Newton, Robyn Supple and Millie Ann-Jones

“We still are having ongoing therapies and there will be more surgeries to come in the future.

“He is limited at the moment, [in terms of] what he can do, with his injury.

“There’s certain things the hospital has said he can’t do, so he still can’t get into the full swing of doing his scouting things.”

Mr Watts, 41, described the outpouring of support he and his family received following the hit and run.

He said: “It was overwhelming. The community has been amazing.

“I’m from Saltney originally, so I knew a lot of people but even those we don’t really know have done a lot for us. It was quite surprising.”

Miss Grundy said: “We would really like to thank the whole community for their support and continued support.”

Speaking of Alfie’s reaction to the visit by Mr Grylls, Mr Watts added: “It’s been amazing - he’s just been gobsmacked.

“We would really like to thank Bear Grylls and the scouts - they have been brilliant.”