IT ain't half hot mum!Suffolk Sea Scouts preparing to take part in a prestigious world jamboree in Thailand had a taste of the sizzling temperatures in store for them when spent time sweating it out in a sauna.

By Tina Heath

IT ain't half hot mum!

Suffolk Sea Scouts preparing to take part in a prestigious world jamboree in Thailand had a taste of the sizzling temperatures in store for them when spent time sweating it out in a sauna.

The experiment comes as the lads from the 1st Shotley Sea Scout troop are also hotting up for a mammoth sale to raise funds for their trip.

Carl Taylor, 13, Daniel Webb, 15, and Peter Baxter, 13, are among those representing the Ipswich South District at the 20th World Scout Jamboree in 2003.

The trio, who each had to raise £2,500 towards the cost of staging the event, has already banked an impressive £5,000 but only have until September this year to find the remainder.

Mums Petra Taylor and Allana Baxter told how the small community of Shotley had shown outstanding support for the boys fundraising efforts.

"Business in the community have helped us as much as they can. People have been astonishingly generous. Everything the boys have done they have had full support," they said.

The parents, who have been helping the boys with the fundraising activities, admit that they have been donated so many items for the forthcoming sale, due to take place at Shotley Village Hall on February 23, that they are running out of storage space.

"We have everything from toys, clothes, bric-a-brac, a shower tray, kimono. People have been emptying out their cupboards, their attics," they said.

The jamboree takes place in Sattahip Chonburi Province, 180kms south east of Bangkok, from December 28 to January 8, and the boys have been warned to expect soaring temperatures.

The average maximum temperature for Sattahip at the time of year is a sticky 25c during the day with a predicated relative humidity of more than 70per cent.

But their visit to the HiLife fitness centre in Ipswich's Cardinal Park will have set them in good stead.

Daniel, who goes to Holbrook High School, admitted it was scorching in the sauna but added that he was "good with heat" and had enjoyed the taster.

Ipswich School pupil, Peter said: "I'll probably drink a lot of water and go swimming as often as I can."

Among the fundraising activities planned for the future are sponsored gardening and car washing at £2,50 a go in the forecourt of Shotley Corner Garage.

Anyone wishing to donate items prior to the grand sale should contact Petra on 787640, Allana on 788163 or Julie on 788940.