Bear Grylls flies in to head up Scouts event at Halfpenny Green airport
Former SAS soldier and survival expert Bear Grylls flew into the Black Country today to encourage people to join the Scouts.
Bear, who is the Chief Scout and ambassador of the group, arrived at Halfpenny Green Airport, at Bobbington, near Wolverhampton, this afternoon.
Event organisers are hoping to recruit new members and adults who can help volunteer in the Scout Association, which is the the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation.
A mini assault course was taking place at the Six Ashes Road-based site along with information on how to sign up. The event was running from 11am to 4pm.
Bear had a short stint in the Indian Army after leaving in school, where he took part in hiking around the Himalayas.
In 1998 he achieved his childhood dream of climbing Mount Everest in Nepal.
He served with 21 SAS in the British Army from 1994 to 1997, during which time in, he suffered a parachuting accident in Zambia after his parachute failed to inflate, which happened in 1996.
Bear, whose real name is Edward Michael Grylls was born in Northern Ireland.
The 43-year-old achieved fame through his TV show called Born Survivor: Bear Grylls, which was later named Man vs. Wild, where he visited remote and wild locations across the world and demonstrated how to survive and escape such environments.
He was made the youngest-ever Chief Scout at the age of 35, when he was given the role in 2009.
When he was offered the position, Bear said: "I feel so honoured to be offered this position, and have always held such admiration for Scouts and all they do around the world.
"The Scouting Movement is a massive force for good, touching many, many young lives. Above all, it gives millions of kids the chance to live and learn about the wild and to experience real adventure."
