A GIRLGUIDE from Melksham is fundraising to be able to take part in two international camps in Switzerland and joint camp in Norway and Amsterdam.
15-year-old Grace Povey has been chosen to represent Melksham 5th Guides / 1st Melksham Rangers and Wiltshire Guides and is hoping to raise £3,000 to go on these once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
“I’m so excited to go on these trips – even though it will be hard work to raise the money,” said Grace. “I’m looking forward to sightseeing and doing things that aren’t possible here – like igloo building!
“Guiding has given me so many opportunities locally that I’m really looking forward to seeing how it is approached internationally and making friends with other girls from other units that were chosen – we have already all swapped phone numbers and can’t wait to meet up soon.”
The Switzerland adventure includes staying at the Kandersteg guiding/scout centre, where the girls will experience overnight hikes, igloo building and skiing, whilst meeting girls from other groups around the world. A visit to the revolving restaurant from the James Bond movie, the Schilthorn, is also planned. The details of the Norway and Amsterdam camp are still to be finalised.
The girls are also expected to participate in a community project whilst in each country; this could be gardening, helping to re-build walls or helping at youth groups.
Grace has been with Guiding since 2018 and has become a young leader, volunteering with the Brownies group each week.
She also helps regularly with the Melksham Town Tidy; has campaigned for recycling bins in the park; and has helped out at various local events in her role as Melksham Carnival Princess including Climatefest and the Food and River Festival. Earlier this month, she also received a Melksham Civic Award for her achievements as the number one ranked Women’s Under-16 in kayaking in the country.
Grace has already raised funds for the two camps with a toddler craft morning, an Easter competition and leaflet delivering and will be fundraising at several local events over the summer including ‘Emma’s fundraiser’ at the Forest Community Centre (June 10th); Melksham Pride (June 24th), Melksham Hospital Fete (July 8th), and the Melksham Food and River Festival in September.
She also has other plans, including a book created with stories/poems/ pictures from the residents of Melksham, professionally bound and then available to purchase.
If you would like to follow Grace, visit her Facebook page or you can donate at https:// www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gracesguidingadventures?utm_term=7XXM3dg6p
