A scout leader from Abingdon has just returned from a worldwide trip raising funds for international scouting and cancer research.

Andrew Henderson, 22, is the leader of the 26th Abingdon Scout unit in Sutton Courtenay. He has spent the last eight months visiting Thailand, Australia, Easter Island, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and the USA.

Andrew Henderson He began the trip in January this year with a friend, Andrew Goldsmith.

The pair undertook four physically demanding challenges in aid of the Oxfordshire Scouting 20th World Jamboree Unit and The Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

Mr Henderson, pictured above kayaking in New Zealand, said: "The highlight was hiking around Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean. We ran out of food and it was really hot, but it was amazing seeing the statues on the island."

Other challenges included a four-day 56km trek in New Zealand, three days walking the Inca Trail in Peru and an intensive four-day scuba-diving challenge in Playa el Carmen, on the Mexican-Caribbean coast.

While scuba-diving, he was able to watch 200lb leatherback turtles gliding through coral reefs.

He said: "It was an amazing thing to witness."

Back home in Willow Lane, Milton, Mr Henderson has been appointed media manager for the Oxfordshire Scout Unit, and will focus on fundraising to send 36 scouts from Oxfordshire to Thailand for the 20th World Jamboree in 2002. The event, held every four years, brings together scouts from all over the world.