While many young people enjoy long summers socialising without school commitments, 15-year old James Thomas from Walkeringham will be heading off on a different kind of adventure next year. James, who attends Queen Elizabeth’s High School (QEHS) in Gainsborough, will take part in a month-long experience of a lifetime in Peru in the summer of 2026 with Camps International.
This is not going to be a holiday as during his time in Peru he will be part of a small team trying to help the local people in a remote area of the country. Many live in run-down houses which have no toilets and so he will be helping to construct toilet blocks alongside working to enhancing education facilities and on conservation projects. They will be working to protect the banks and planting trees and other plants on the surrounding hillsides to try and prevent further erosion.
All expedition students are encouraged to fundraise the cost of the trip, so James is hoping to raise over£4,500 to pay for the trip. A dedicated member of our distribution team here at Gainsborough Life, he is using his earnings to help reach the total needed. James is also holding a Christmas Prize Bingo night at West Stockwith Village on Thursday 11th December and you are invited to along for the evening. Any donations of festive prizes for the games or the raffle would be gratefully received. Any further details about fundraising opportunities, sponsorship, donations or tickets for the Bingo, can be got from heatherthomas@hotmail.co.uk. Donations towards James’ expedition can also be made at https://gofund.me/55e58d59.