In total, 15 Badges have been given out to celebrities who have made significant achievements over the past 12 months.

To celebrate Scouting’s birthday, its half a million members from across the UK have had the opportunity to vote online for public figures that have inspired young people.  The celebrities honoured have encouraged others to try new activities and learn new skills. They have also demonstrated the expertise and knowledge required to attain a Scout badge.

Two Explorer Scouts visited the studio in Rainham, Essex where Diversity train, to present members of the group with their badges. Ashley (20), Jordan (16), Mitchell (13), Perri (13) and Terry (24) were delighted to receive the award, saying they would sew the badges onto their caps. They also said they would enjoy teasing Britain’s Got Talent presenters Ant & Dec when they next saw them, having beaten them to scoop the award.

Choreographer Ashley Banjo, 20, from Diversity said:
“Thank you to all the Scouts who voted for us. We are really happy to be awarded the Entertainer Badge. It is really important for young people to be fit and active. Just go for it. Dream, believe, achieve.”

Dannie Barratt an Explorer Scout who sat on the Birthday Honours Panel, said:
“Diversity represent so many things that are important to Scouting: teamwork, family, keeping fit, hard work and having fun. Often young people are portrayed in a bad light but these guys show how just how wrong stereotypes can be.”

Chief Scout Bear Grylls welcomed the awards:
“Scouting loves to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to inspiring and encouraging young people during the past year.  Those honoured today have demonstrated, through action, all the skills and knowledge that are required to attain an honorary Scout badge. I am so glad to welcome them into the Scouting fold that believes that together we can empower the youth of tomorrow with a spirit of endeavour and camaraderie."

Other Badges awarded include Motor Sports, Communicator, Snow Sports and Athlete.

On receiving the Communicator Badge, following her work for the Gurkha Justice Campaign, Joanna Lumley said:
"Of all the great strokes of luck and fortune that have swept me up in life none can compare with being awarded a Scout Badge. I am as thrilled and proud as can be, and shall wear it at occasions when it says Medals May be Worn. Thank you with all my heart for such an honour. You know, I was simply doing my best."

Four time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, who won the Cyclist Badge said:
“I'm delighted and very honoured to receive the Cyclist badge from The Scout Association. I have always loved riding my bike and it's great to see so many more people of all ages and abilities taking up cycling and getting involved in the sport.”

Sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur was awarded the Instructor Badge for the work her Trust does taking young people with serious illnesses sailing. She said:
“It was fantastic to meet the Scouts in Glasgow this week and I was really surprised to receive such a wonderful award. It will remain on the Scarlet Oyster for the rest of the Ellen MacArthur Round Britain Voyage before returning to Cowes in September.”

Explorer Scouts also visited the River Cottage Canteen in Bath to present Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall with the Smallholder’s Badge and the home of Britain’s No. 1 Alpine Skier Chemmy Alcott who won the Snow Sports Badge.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said:
“I am delighted to receive such an auspicious award.”

On receiving her Badge, Chemmy Alcott said:
“Thank you for awarding me the Snow Sports Scouts Badge!  It's a real honour.  I wish I had joined the Scouts when I was younger - it seems a great way of inspiring people to really go for it in life and have an adventure, and it teaches you so many practical/social skills that you can use forever."

Major Phil Packer received the Athlete Badge for completing a 30 mile channel row, a 14 day marathon and a 4 day mountain climb in spite of spinal chord injuries he sustained in Iraq. He has raised over £1,000,000 for Help for Heroes in the process. He said:
“I am honoured and delighted to have been awarded the Athlete Badge. As a former Cub and Scout I know how fantastic the organisation is to so many Young People and I feel humbled that my endeavours this year have been recognised by the Scout Movement. I wish everyone in the organisation a very Happy Birthday and share the excitement of the future leadership of Bear Grylls. Thank you very much for voting and for your support. I will wear the badge I have received with pride.”

TV Presenter Kate Humble, who was awarded the Conservation Badge said:
“What an honour! I am extremely proud and absolutely delighted to have won the conservation badge. Thank you very much indeed.”

Dannie Barratt, an Explorer Scout who helped to present the Birthday Badges, said:
"We chose these celebrities as they have all done something to inspire us, like trying out a new sport, completing a challenge or thinking about where our food comes from. Watching people like Joanna Lumley and Phil Packer makes me believe that I can achieve anything.

“We gave the Climber badge to the Comic Relief team for not giving up, even though some of them found the climb really tough.  I felt that people like Diversity and Kate Humble help to promote an active and environmentally-friendly lifestyle which are important to us, as young people and Scouts."