An assistant guider of Haworth Guides has returned from a three-week trip to Uganda.

Claire Stoney, 22, of Lee Lane in Oxenhope, embarked on the trip to train 400 guides.

Claire explained: "I was selected in November 2000 to take part in the Bangladesh project.

"After a whole year of preparation and fundraising this was cancelled just three weeks before departure as a result of the September 11 disaster.

"I was determined to continue my dream of working with Guides in another country and I was then placed on the Uganda team from July 2-4 this year."

Claire, a student of community studies and youth work at Bradford College, visited Uganda with the Guiding Overseas Linked with Development (GOLD) scheme.

She is an assistant guide guider of the First Haworth Guides and fundraised £1,300 to cover costs and expenses for the trip.

On the trip, Claire's team provided four separate three-day training sessions in the towns of Lira, Kumi, Mbarara and the capital city Kampala.

Their training sessions included seminars on the basic values of guiding, communication, leadership, HIV/AIDS awareness and community service.

Claire added: "I have seen and experienced situations which have made me value my life here in the UK more, especially my position as a young woman.

"On returning home I am now looking forward to using the skills and information I have learnt and sharing my experiences with Guides in the Keighley Division when meetings start again in September.

"I would like to thank all the people who have given their time and effort to support me with my fundraising, especially the leaders and parents of the Worth Valley District and Vera Redman - Keighley Division Commissioner and Caroline Starkey my unit guider."