A former scout is part of a specialist unit which has flown out to help survivors of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Susanna Trow, 27, is one of the 16 strong International Search and Rescue team, which flew out on Monday to help those on as yet unreached islands.

The former Bocking Primary School pupil, who is a lead paramedic with the London Ambulance Service, had been on 24 hour standby since the disaster struck.

Along with her sister Phillipa she had been a long standing member of the 1st Gosfield Cub and Scout club and groups in the surrounding area are very proud of her and are following her progress closely.

Her dad Brian Trow, who is himself a former ambulance driver, said: “We are immensely proud of her and I think all the scouts roundabout are quite chuffed.

“We just hope she has a safe journey, we know they can look after themselves.”

She has no way of contacting the family but is expected home on December, when the team will re-equip and could return to the Philippines.