Bradford Bear Grylls has camping equipment stolen in theft

NHS worker Scott Dalton says camping has been a great healer after his son Oscar sadly passed away aged just six weeks.

However, he was left devastated when he realised over £1,000 worth of his gear was stolen in the Westwood Park area of Bradford last month.

Police say a 27-year-old has been arrested and bailed in relation to the incident.

"It was all my camping gear that I have built up over the years, so it was personal to me and disheartening when it happened," Scott said.

Some of the expensive camping gear that was stolen

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, Scott bravely opened up about how terrible it was to lose his son at such a young age. 

"Oscar was a normal, happy and healthy little boy," he said.

"Coming up to six weeks old, he went to sleep one night and when we woke up the next morning unfortunately he was not with us any longer.

"I am an ambulance driver and my wife's a nurse so, with the ambulance service, we were able to get his heart going again and able to say goodbye while he was in hospital."

Baby Oscar

Scott added: "I have struggled a lot with my mental health since then with stress and anxiety.

"My little boy Oscar passing away got me back into camping.

"I was looking for that one thing that sparked me back into life and that was getting outside and being with nature."

In 2017, a year after Oscar's passing, Scott pursued his passion and even created a Youtube channel on the matter in tribute to his son.

After joining the scouts, he created OSCAR (Outdoor, Survival, Camping, Activities, Reviews) and has amassed over 7,000 subscribers.

He added: "I have been with the scouts nearly five years and started the Youtube channel to pass on my knowledge to the scouting community.

"It is also a diary so I have something to look back on with my other kids."

Scott and his family

Starting properly when lockdown struck, OSCAR documents Scott and his young family (wife Danielle, and two of his four children, Bella, 8, and five-year-old Ollie) travelling the country looking for the best camping spots.

"We tend to get talking to people online and they recommend places.

"We sometimes go wild camping in national parks, standing by the ethos of leave no trace.

"We have been to Scotland, the Peak District and the Lake District, we go all over."

With him even foraging in the past, his endeavours have earned him the name of the "Bear Grylls of Bradford".

"I have had that said about me a few times," the former Tong Upper School pupil laughed.

"Bear is actually my scouting name."

In relation to the theft, which took place on the night of August 20-21, a police spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus: "A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

"He has been bailed pending further enquiries."

Scott has since set up a gofundme page where you can help him replace what was taken.

He said: "Recently I was the victim of a crime where a lifetime and labour of love were taken.

"All the camping gear that I have modified and customised recently to teach, educate and even entertain was taken.

"Don't get me wrong I have more camping equipment but this set-up was special.

"I had looked after it and pushed it to its limits to make it just right for me.

"I have already received some very generous donations to help me replace what was taken.

Scott personalises his equipment

"But as you are aware, equipment is expensive and I had worked hard to earn it and even harder to modify it.

"I'm asking for just a portion of the overall cost so I can replace it sooner rather than later.

"Anything over the initial target (£300) will help make the process quicker and will also go towards future adventures and gear reviews that I can bring to the channel."