Thank you very much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, you are a STAR!!!! I am trying to fundraise £1950 for a fantastic charity called Raleigh International. I think they are so good that I will be spending 3 months volunteering for them in Borneo this January. They enable young people from the UK (including those "at risk" or from disadvantaged backgrounds) and abroad to go on life changing expeditions where they work to help improve the lives of people in poor communities and to protect vulnerable wildlife.Thank you so much for your support! 

 

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Want to know where your money is going? read below..

What is Raleigh?

Raleigh is a registered charity (no. 1047653) that works with young people (17 to 24 year olds) from all backgrounds and nationalities, including those disadvantaged or ‘at risk’ from here in the UK, to enable them to make a positive contribution and enhance their personal and social development. Raleigh achieve this by engaging young people in worthwhile community, environmental and adventure projects that meet the needs of people living in developing countries.

Why did I choose Raleigh?

Raleigh combines three things that I am most passionate about :

· Helping young people to develop their skills and self confidence

· Helping to improve the lives of people in poor communities

· Protecting endangered wildlife 

I was really impressed that Raleigh provide bursaries to  enable young people who are “at risk” or from disadvantaged backgrounds here in the UK as well as young people from the local community in the host country to take part in projects and have life changing experiences that would otherwise not be possible. In addition Raleigh has a permanent presence in the host countries, working closely with community groups and other charities, ensuring all the work they do is meaningful and has a long term impact.

My role

I will be a Volunteer Project Manager, I will be in charge of a group of young volunteers (17—24 year olds) a.k.a “Venturers”. My job will be to ensure their safety and well being and to support them to complete work on project sites. Projects could include for example laying pipelines from springs to provide clean drinking water to villages, building schools, sanitation units or energy efficient stoves and much more.

Life on expedition

Life on expedition is very basic. I’ll be living in the rainforest, so there will be no electricity, no running water, a hole in the ground for a toilet and a tent or hammock to sleep in. Being a rainforest, the weather is hot, humid and very often wet! Not very comfortable

Why Borneo?

Borneo rainforests are the oldest in the world and home to some of the rarest and most diverse ranges of species. Raleigh operate from Sabah – in the north of Borneo. Sabah has the highest rate of poverty throughout Malaysia: 21% of Sabah children have never attended school and many rural communities do not have access to clean, reliable water.

Where does your money go?

Don’t worry! I will be paying for my own travel expenses, my vaccinations and my personal equipment. I have also already donated £200 to Raleigh (10% of the £1950 target set to take part in the expedition). Your money only funds the valuable work Raleigh do.

To follow my expedition go to the website and click on “blogs” from Jan 28th– April 27th 2014!