Almondbank girl sets off to Borneo

Jul 3 2009 by Richard Wilkins, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Jungle duties for volunteer

A YOUNG volunteer from Almondbank set off on the trip of a lifetime this week.

Amy Harcus (21) will spend the next three months in Borneo as a volunteer with the Raleigh project.

Amy worked in retail for four years before deciding she wanted to do something different with her life.

Through the Youth Services City Base in Perth’s St John’s Place she heard about volunteering and the Raleigh Challenges.

Subsequently she attended two residential workshops and was then chosen to go to Sabah in North Borneo.

Raleigh first went to the island of Borneo in 1987 and since 2003 have run over 20 expeditions to Sabah, an area rich in culture and natural resources, with some of the world’s oldest rainforests and diverse ethnic communities.

Raleigh volunteers have the chance to preserve and conserve natural environments, experience different ways of life and undertake challenging, life-changing adventures.

During their time in Sabah, volunteers have been playing a leading role in making a much needed difference there, helping communities spread across the state.

Their projects include six kindergartens, three libraries and seven gravity water feed systems, all achieved through sponsorship, local communities and fundraising schemes.

Amy had to raise between £1500 and £2000 to enable her to go on the trip. More than £1200 was raised through a band night earlier this month with local performers playing for free and businesses supporting the event with donations and raffle prizes. Other personal donations increased her fundraising to £1800. A final total of £2100 was achieved by the volunteers at the City Base joining Amy in a sponsored Munro climb on Meall nan Tarmachan near Killin.

Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant said: “Volunteering brings many benefits to young people – by helping and supporting others they gain valuable skills and experience. I would like to congratulate Amy for her efforts in preparing for what will undoubtedly be a very special experience and wish her all the best in Borneo.”