A BUDE girl is embarking on a trip of a lifetime next year as she prepares to travel to India as part of a three month volunteering programme.

Averil Pocock, aged 20, had always planned to go travelling, but when she spotted a position to become an overseas volunteer as part of a government pilot scheme, it was a good opportunity to combine both.

The project, launched by the prime minister, is running this year and into next (2012) and is funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).

International Citizen Service (ICS) is a global volunteering experience which aims to make a real difference to some of the world's poorest people. It gives young people from the UK the chance to join in the fight against global poverty in Africa and Asia.

Having been an activity instructor at Adventure International (AI), Bude, for two seasons and gained a number of outdoor pursuit skills, she hopes these will help her in India.

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