A Melksham teenager has set up a small business baking and selling dog treats to help fund a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Borneo next year.
Oliver Hancock, a Year 10 student at Melksham Oak Community School, launched Food4Fido as a way of raising money for the Camps International expedition, where he will volunteer and take part in conservation and community projects.
He is aiming to raise £1,300 for the four-week trip.
Through Food4Fido, he bakes peanut butter and cheese dog treats and delivers them by hand to customers in the local area.
Oliver, who also delivers the Melksham News in Bowerhill, said, “I am really excited about going to Borneo for four weeks next year. I am passionate about wildlife so I am particularly looking forward to doing some conservation work whilst I am over there and taking part in community projects with local people.
“We will also get to trek through the Bornean jungle for five days. I am working hard to fundraise the money for my trip. At a meeting with Camps International about fundraising ideas, I thought I could make homemade dog treats to raise a little extra. We make peanut butter treats and cheese ones as well. I am so grateful to the community for supporting me and purchasing the treats, it really does make a difference.”
Oliver first learned about the Borneo expedition through a school assembly, after which students were invited to apply.
Oliver’s mum Linda said the project has helped him step outside his comfort zone. She said, “They are sort of pushing them out of their comfort zone a little bit. They are having to speak to different people that they would not have done before, he has gone out and delivered to members of the public and of course they have all been interested in how to chat to him.
“The community has been absolutely fantastic. We have had a really brilliant response and it is massively appreciated.”
To support Oliver, visit his fundraising page https://shorturl.at/LIqWx
To learn more about Oliver’s dog treats business, search ‘Food4Fido’ on Facebook
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