Thank you all for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

So... on the 10th of October 2015, I am planning to go to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where I will be working as a volunteer for Raleigh International Trust.

Over the course of this 10 week visit, I will be taking part in both environmental and community based charity work within the small communities located across these two countries.                                        Raleigh works in partnership with locals to make a much needed difference to peoples lives, supporting their efforts to improve their standard of living. The charity helps in enabling communities to access basic services such as water, sanitation, education and energy using renewable resources.

If you want to know more, check out their website: http://www.raleighinternational.org/

My part... During my time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua I will be helping to support the already invaluable work of Raleigh.                                         Over 20% of Costa Rica's population are living below the national poverty line, with 6% living in extreme poverty.                                               Home to 6 million people, Nicaragua is ranked 18th most impoverished out of the 20 countries in Latin America with the majority of residents living in poverty. This should give you a basic idea of why Costa Rica and Nicaragua have been chosen as two of many destinations receiving the much needed support that Raleigh provide.                                                                                             

There is a joint focus in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua of introducing community resilience to the local people. Raleigh hopes to build resilience in Costa Rica and Nicaragua's indigenous communities by encouraging the forming of community groups, improving access to health and education services and introducing alternative ways for individuals to make their livings.

For me, this is a really amazing opportunity to be involved first-hand in the work that Raleigh promote. I really hope to make a massive difference to these peoples lives, but I can't do it without your help!

Your part... Any donation you make will help to buy the equipment and materials needed along the way, and will directly support local partners to work with communities, before and after the expedition, to ensure it is a valued project that will make a long-term difference to their health, education and economy.

I am completely open to suggestions from you by way of 'creative fundraising' ideas so please don't hold back! You will be contributing to a truly amazing cause.

Thank you!

P.s - I'll be keeping you posted through my JustGiving page on what I've been getting up to in terms of fundraising, so keep an eye out.

Update so far - 10/04/15

Just had my medical form signed off by the doctor...was a bit of a reality check to say the least!...Check out the copy in my images to see what I'm letting myself in for!

Update so far - 14/04/15

SO..as promised I'm going to be putting myself through some gruelling, hardcore, physical challenges as part of my mission to reach my final fundraising target. On the 19th April I'll be sweating my balls off tackling this...http://warrior-run.co.uk/

With over 50 obstacles per 7k lap, i'll be crawling through nets, climbing walls, smashing through swamps, throwing myself over dirt mounds, hauling logs and tyres, making my way through webs and tunnels and charging through ditches and streams that make up the course! All in the name of Raleigh International.

So, if you've yet to find a good enough reason to delve deep, or relieve yourself of your loose change, surely my pain and suffering this weekend will encourage you to do so! 

All being well, I'll be posting pictures here on my page next week of the event... assuming I survive!