Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This year, I decided I wanted to use my gap year to do something worthwhile and after doing some research on volunteer work abroad, I came across Raleigh, a charity that aims to give young people a chance to explore the world and by doing so discover their potential as leaders and members of a team working together to make a difference. 

I was confirmed for my place on the Borneo expedition in December and now I am setting out to fundraise my £2000 fundraising target.  I will be taking part in a 10 week expedition in Borneo between July-September 2010 where I will participate in community, environmental and adventure projects there.

The work Raleigh carries out in Borneo

Borneo community projects are based in some of the remotest and poorest parts of Sabah.   Recently Raleigh has been working in Kampung Minusoh, Tongod District building a Kindergarten to ensure that children entering school have a minimal standard of reading and writing.  Raleigh is also currently working on a gravity water feed system in Kampung Pinapak.  As a volunteer for Raleigh, I would be working alongside the local community to help on these projects.

Raleigh environmental projects in Borneo include a reforestation project, at Kampung Bowang Jamal, Kudat District. This is a conservation project designed to actively pursue re-forestation through collection, cultivation and replanting of forest trees in order to reclaim barren areas.  Raleigh has also been carrying out work in Sepilok, where volunteers are helping build a Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.  The centre will aim to raise awareness of the plight of the Sun Bear, which status is currently set at that of an endangered species. The centre will allow for the rehabilitation of Sun bears that have been kept in captivity or orphaned. Those that can't be released back into the wild will have the best life possible. Through a visitor programme the centre will become self funding with any profits used for further research of the species.

Where the money goes and how I will raise it

The money I fundraise goes straight to Raleigh, and is used directly towards the cost of running expeditions, and it is vital to the continuation of Raleigh's work.  If you would like any more information on Raleigh, then please visit their website - http://www.raleighinternational.org/countries/borneo/. 

If you don't want to donate straight away, then please let me draw your attention to the fact that I am planning a few sponsored events which you may feel deserves a donation or two... including a charity gig, and if I can train in time, a sponsored run or bicycle ride!  I threw a very successful "B for Borneo" party in Neath Cricket club which raised £800+ which helped massively in getting closer to the target of £1800.  Not too far to go until we reach the fundraising total now!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. 

Thank you for taking the time to read, I really appreciate it.  If you can, please dig deep and donate now.