On 24th November, me and my adventuring friend Rachel will spend 2 days walking 100km from Richmond Park, London all the way to my front door in Brighton to raise money for Challenges Worldwide. 

This will be a huge physical and mental challenge for both of us, being by far the longest distance either of us will have walked in that time before - and made even more challenging by the short daylight hours and autumnal conditions at the end of November. However - we will face the challenge armed with waterproofs, headtorches and buckets of enthusiasm!

The reason we are committing ourselves to this wintry task is to raise funds for Challenges Worldwide, an international development charity that focuses on alleviating poverty through local, sustainable economic development. I am extremely excited to be volunteering with Challenges Worldwide in Accra, Ghana for 12 weeks from the end of January 2016. 

This placement will be part of the ICS (International Citizen Service) Entrepreneur program, a government-funded scheme that brings young UK and local volunteers together to fight poverty in some of the world's poorest countries, through supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs who have directly asked for help to overcome specific problems and grow in their sector. This focus on business development aims to tackle poverty by generating income within communities and create a lasting, positive impact. During my placement, I will stay with a host family, be paired with a Ghanaian volunteer and together we will work to help develop one small business over the course of the 12 weeks. 

I am incredibly excited to have this opportunity, and am sure I will learn a load whilst on placement! All funds raised go directly to Challenges Worldwide, to ensure that they are able to continue sending volunteers to development projects to make a lasting difference in impoverished communities. 

Any donations will go to an excellent cause, and help me keep putting one foot after another on our walking voyage! Many many thanks for any and all generosity :)