Hampshire teenager aims to raise £6,000 for Scout expeditions
Catalina Wilson, from Twyford, has been selected to join the expedition, where Scouts will work alongside a local school and community.
The trip will take Catalina to a new part of the world while allowing her to help the local community.
During the expedition, Catalina and the other Scouts will paint school murals, repair recycled bicycles, build desks and deliver supplies such as pencils and notebooks.
Catalina, an art lover, is particularly looking forward to painting the murals and meeting children from the village.
“This is a new culture for me so I don’t really know what to expect,” she said. “I hope to learn a new viewpoint on life from this interaction with new people.”
She added: “It will feel great if we can help out in any way. The whole expedition is about providing a positive contribution, which is why I’m working so hard towards my goal.”
Catalina has already raised more than £3,000 towards her £6,000 target.
With her mum she has sold plants at local fetes, while she has raised cash through babysitting, odd jobs and volunteering at organised runs.
She said: “It’s been a lot of work to get past the halfway target of £6,000 and I’m determined to keep working hard to reach the total.”
Catalina is also raising money to attend next summer’s World Scout Jamboree in Poland, where Scouts from around the world will build leadership skills and experience different cultures.
Some of Catalina’s fundraising will help a Scout from a low-income country attend the Jamboree.
Catalina completed the Scouts’ 21-mile ‘20 Bridges of London’ sponsored walk on September 12, crossing 20 bridges in the capital.
She finished the challenge with “very tired legs” and was delighted that her father took part too.
She said: “I don’t know how this will develop me personally until we have been to The Gambia, but I hope it makes a positive impact on me.”
She added: “For now, it is very rewarding to know I am achieving my fundraising goals and will take part in a great adventure.”
Catalina has raised more than £3,000 and is determined to hit her target, experience the adventure and help others along the way.
The expedition forms part of Hampshire Scouts’ longstanding work in The Gambia, where support for the Kairo Kongo Scout Centre has continued for well over 20 years.
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