I am aged 14 and a member of Colchester Air Scouts. I have been involved in Scouting since I was 6 years’ old, and will soon become an Explorer Scout. I love Scouting because it is totally inclusive, and nobody is ever made to feel different but just fits in. There are brilliant leaders who support us in many adventurous activities.

I have been selected to represent Essex and the UK at the Australian Jamboree 2019, which will be held in Adelaide in January 2019. I will be departing home on Boxing Day 2018 and spending just over three weeks away from my family on the other side of the world. This is a once in a lifetime educational experience which will help me to grow and develop in confidence, and to have the opportunity to meet Scouts from many other countries around the world. We will be split into small patrols which will include approximately 8-9 Scouts from across the South Pacific and Australasian Continent. Within our units, we will camp together, sleep and cook together, and will take part in community and environmental projects, adventurous activities and teambuilding challenges. We will also be able to swap stories about Scouting within our respective countries and learn about different cultures.

I will benefit also from visiting a number of attractions in Hong Kong, Cairns and Sydney, including the night markets, Great Barrier Reef, an aborigonal village in the rainforest and the Blue Mountains. I will experience nature and wildlife at first hand, Australian history and heritage, and study the ecosystem of the rainforest.

I am fundraising towards the fee of £2800. This is an important part of the process, as I will be developing my practical and inter-personal skills by doing so.

Fundraising activities will include washing cars, car boot sales, a quiz night, a sponsored swim, and more.

There are 10,500 miles from Colchester to Sydney, so I will be swimming the equivalent in metres, 420 lengths of a full length swimming pool, over four sessions.

I would welcome any help and support, either by way of sponsorship or donations for boot sales or raffles. I can’t wait to begin this exciting journey!