SCOUTS from the region rallied together to raise awareness of disability and celebrate the life of war hero and global humanitarian Leonard Cheshire.

The 1st Chilton Scouts from County Durham held a quiz, cakes and coffee evening to mark the impact Group Captain Leonard Cheshire made on the lives of disabled people during his lifetime.

It was in aid of the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability which continues his legacy by running care services and education and employment projects for disabled people.

Captain Cheshire, who would have been 100 today (Thursday, September 7), passed away in 1992 after almost half a century of humanitarian work supporting disabled people around the world.

The Scout Association and charity have teamed up for the initiative A Million Hands, to get people to make positive change in communities across the UK.

The charity works with Scouts to teach them about disability and invites them to visit care services.

Scout leader Ian Milburn said: "Over the last year we have held disability awareness sessions and we have had visits to a nearby Leonard Cheshire service to interact with the residents it amazing to see the impact we can have in our community."

Leonard Cheshire Disability's Jocelyn Cole, who manages the charity's partnership with the Scouts, said: "The parties and quizzes are designed to be fun, but also to help Scouts to learn and challenge preconceptions about disabled people.

"Many groups will go on to take action in their community to improve the lives of disabled people."