A teenager is looking to raise £4,500 to fund a trip to Ecuador next summer.
Sixteen-year-old Bella Fisher, who has left Abbey Park School in Swindon after completing her GCSEs, is hoping to take part in a four-week expedition in Ecuador with Camps International in July 2025.
She said: "Camps International visited my school, and when I heard about the expedition, I just knew it was something I wanted to be involved with.
"As I am looking ahead to a career in wildlife biology, this felt like the perfect opportunity to see different species and habitats first-hand, while getting to experience something completely different."
Securing sponsorship from Metric Group, an intelligent parking company, Ms Fisher has been topping up her pot with various fundraising activities, including climbing to the 1,085 metre summit of Snowdon.
She added: "I really appreciate Metric Group for helping me on my way to reaching my financial targets and for all my friends and family for their support."
She has set up a GoFundMe page to help reach her target.
Hoping to study A-Levels in biology, chemistry and maths at Cirencester College from September, she has her eye on a future degree in wildlife biology.
In Ecuador, she will take part in a number of projects aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
This will include constructing neighbourhood recreational areas and improving infrastructure of schools.
She will also help to tackle the issue of waste in the natural environment by taking part in beach clean-ups and working on rubbish management initiatives.
The Amazon Rainforest Regeneration programme will give her the opportunity to witness first-hand the impact of deforestation.
She will work alongside local people to help understand the relationship between the environment and community development, and will assist with environmental projects like collecting saplings and replanting trees in the jungle.
Her mum, Lisa Harvey, who has worked at Metric Group for the past 18 years, said: "I am so pleased they [Metric Group] are helping Bella in this way.
"In total, the trip is costing £5,000 and we’ve already paid some towards it, plus all the vaccines and equipment on top, so it’s not cheap.
"I’m so proud of Bella as she has been working really hard to raise money and pay for most of this this herself.
"She’s started a new job, has held lots of different fundraising challenges, and there was the recent trek up Snowdon."
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