Published: Friday, 23rd March, 2007 11:08
Teen Raleigh's to help the world's poor
By Jamie Halpin
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WITH all the humming and hawing about a new crossing over the Forth, it’s good to hear that at least one Scotsman is building bridges – even if it is in the jungles of Borneo.
19-year-old Andrew Peattie, from Peebles, is having the time of his life as part of a international team helping to complete a hanging suspension bridge in the Danum Valley rainforest.
Andrew’s team, organised by youth development charity Raleigh International, will also assist international scientists with various conservation projects.
Mum Rosie is proud of Andrew’s achievements. She told the Peeblesshire News: “Part of the challenge was to raise £2,650 to fund the project. Andrew worked the summer as a dishwasher at Kailzie Gardens Restaurant and in the autumn he gathered leaves in Peebles and was known as ‘The Leaf Gatherer.’
“He also did 2 days bag packing in Somerfield’s and raffled a rugby ball signed by the Scottish Rugby team. The people of Peebles supported him very generously.”
She added: “His next phase will start next week and will be either in a village community - probably helping to build something like a kindergarten - or the adventure phase when he will climb Mount Kinabalu.”
Although Andrew has worked hard to raise money for his expedition, he has learned this week that he is to receive an award from The South of Scotland Youth Awards Trust. The Trust provides up to £500 to young people to help them join projects in their gap year or during vacations.
James Robinson, 17, from West Linton, has also been selected by the Trust for a year’s placement to teach maths and science in an isolated rain forest in Guyana, South America. On his return he plans to study civil engineering at university.
Fiona MacDonald, 18, and Margaret Carson, 17, from Eddleston, and Jamie Scott, 17, and Amelia Breeze, 17, from Peebles, are joining the Borders Exploration Group expedition to Zambia in July/August. As in previous years, the group will carry out building work in the community, find out about the country and it’s people, and go on safari to get an insight into the country’s wildlife.
Trust chairman Sir Christopher Collett said: “The recipients are setting off abroad to help the underprivileged, to work on projects designed to benefit less developed communities, or gain experience in foreign countries. Two have volunteered for teaching placements of a full year’s duration, They are very well deserving of the financial assistance the Trust is able to offer.”
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