Help Laura get to the World Scout Jamboree Japan 2015

Hello my name is Laura Debney and I am a 19 year old Girl Guide Leader from BoltonI have recently been selected to be a member of the international service team for the UK contingent to the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in summer 2015. This is a group of adult volunteers made up of Guides and Scouts from all over the world. Not only will I be learning about the Japanese cultural and the Japanese Scouting Association , but also about many other cultures. In turn I have been told, that Jamborees create links for the future and lasting friendships. This will be an amazing experience , but not without its challenges, with language barriers being only one challenge I will have to overcome. I have been told that jamboree days will be generally long, with sleep being at a premium and IST jobs may be physically and mentally demanding, especially in the heat. Despite all this I am very excited and willing to take on the new challenges I may face and meet new people. I will be working during the jamboree in various roles. These could include: working on sub camps, on site programs such as Cross road of culture, City of Science, Global Development Village and Beliefs zone. Off site activities such as community service, Exploring Nature and Water Activities. Other areas are : transport, food or trading.

Being a full time student studying at Leeds Metropolitan University, living independently depending on a student loan to live and  coming from a very low income family where only one parent works , due to illness, without guiding my life experiences would be very much limited. The cost of my trip is currently totalling at £3,606 this includes all flights/transfers, Jamboree, meals, some uniform, tent, IST pre Jamboree Tokyo experience and post Jamboree experience in Beijing China. It also includes my Chinese visa and Japan encephalitis vaccination.  I plan to fund raise this solely by myself and therefore I am writing to you now in the hope that you will be able to support me on my journey and give a donation of however much you see fit toward my trip. I have  already been working hard with my fund raising organising bag packs, creating a Japan themed challenge badge which will soon be available and making Japanese bracelets. As a young person who is currently working towards my Queens Guide award, I am always ready and willing to take on new challenges and enthusiastic while doing so. I feel that travelling to Japan and working with young people aged 14-18 will really give me an opportunity to spread the good work of Girl Guiding UK and gain great life skills which I can then, in turn use in my role as a leader.