An assistant Guide guider from the 1st Haworth Guides will be travelling to Bangladesh in late December to embark on a month-long community project.

Claire Stoney, 21, from Oxenhope will be working in Dhaka and other areas of the country with a team of five young women.

They will be working with the Girl Guide Association of Bangladesh on Guiding and community development.

Claire, a final year BA Hons Community Studies and Youth Work student at Bradford College, will be involved in facilitating training sessions for adult teachers, teaching English, working in the community with Rangers on a health education project and promoting guiding.

She says: "I am looking forward to the challenge of working in a team on physically and mentally demanding tasks and travelling to learn about Guiding in another country.

"I am also excited about the prospect of experiencing a new lifestyle and learning about the cultures and religions of Bangladesh, learning new skills and returning home to share my experiences with Guides in the Keighley Division.

"I have enjoyed the challenge of fundraising, although I am still working on this, I would like to thank the people who have supported me." Her trip is part of the GOLD scheme (Guiding Overseas Linked with Development).

She was selected to take part in this project at an International Opportunities weekend at Waddow in Clitheroe last November.

The GOLD scheme is for 16 - 30 year old members of the Guide Association, and aims to provide opportunities for personal development through community work overseas.

Claire is hosting various fundraising events to raise the £1,300 required to meet the costs of travel, accommodation, vaccination, a first aid kit and other expenses.

Guides and leaders have to raise over half the funding for the trips and will be organising many events, one of which is a grand raffle, and they would like help with donations of prizes. If you could assist with a prize or donation please ring 01274 590 167.