Hi

I am Demi, I'm 15 and I'm planning to volunteer with Camps International in Costa Rica for 4 weeks in 2020 when I will be 16. When I'm there I will be helping to build houses, schools and sanitation for local communities with others from my school and taking part in environmental and marine conservation projects.

Why Costa RIca?

In Costa Rica, over a million families live on $1 a day and hopefully, while I'm there we can help improve their living conditions. I will be visiting 4 locations while I'm there I will not only be supporting the People of Costa Rica but also its biodiversity: Costa Rica has one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems and we will be helping to keep it stable.

Where is the money going?

£2,500 sounds like a lot, but it actually costs £4350! I have already raised nearly £700. The cost is split into 2 sections : a) half goes towards buying the equipment ( bricks etc) to build the foundations; b) half pays for my travel, tickets food and accommodation as a month is a long time.

What will I be doing to raise the money?

> I have made giant Coins for Demi tubes full of Smarties for friends, family and organisations to collect their loose change (once you've eaten the Smarties). LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ONE!

> I hope to go to central London during the May half term and sell homemade cakes and sweets to office workers in their coffee and lunch breaks. LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN HELP ME DO THIS PLEASE!

> My lovely auntie Katie is holding a Latin American themed dinner party with games and raffles on Saturday 10th August. PLEASE CONTACT KATIE IF YOU KNOW HER AND WANT TO COME!

> I will be selling bric a brac, vintage items, clothes and cakes/sweets at a Yard Sale on Winn Comon on Saturday July 13th. PLEASE GIVE US ANY iTEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO THE SALE.

> We are going to have a big bbq party for my mum's birthday in our garden on Saturday 6th July. She doesn't want presents but has kindly asked that everyone who comes will donate to this cause instead!

.> As I will need to be in peak fitness, i am going to do a swimathon in which i will swim 5k (about 3 miles) at one time. I'm hoping to do this in August.

> After September I will be putting on and selling tickets for a dance show, choreographed and danced by fellow volunteers and possibly doing a 5K run.

How can you help?

I would be very grateful if you could spread the word and offer any donations big or small! If you happen to know or work for a company which might sponsor me or let me sell cakes, please let me or my mum know!

I will keep you posted here and on my Facebook page.

Thank you,

Demi x

PS I used to have a GoFundMe page for this but I've changed to JustGiving. Thanks again

to all who have already given.

See my Facebook page: Demi's Costa Rica Expedition 2020