AN upcoming event hopes to raise funds and support a local teen’s journey to Uganda.
Local teen Lily Bater will soon be taking the long trip to Uganda in order to support a good cause, and an upcoming charity cream tea and concert aims to help her on her journey.
The event, taking place at Hatherleigh Community Centre on Sunday, April 14, has been organised by Lily and her family to fundraise for Play Action International, who Lily will be volunteering for this summer.
Lily is a former Okehampton College pupil, and now studies Psychology at Bournemouth University.
Having only recently got her first passport, the trip is going to be a challenge for her, but the charity’s work is something she feels is very important and is eager to play her part and make a difference.
Speaking to the Post, she explained: “I saw the trip advertised on our university charity page, it just seemed amazing, I want to work with children after I graduate so the opportunity to help them in Africa for a month sounded amazing! The charity also do lots of other amazing things for the locals, such as provide full time employment.”
To date, Play Action International have built over 444 playgrounds in primary schools, Early Childhood Development centres, refugee settlements and community settings.
Lily continued: “I will be flying out from Gatwick on June 3 and returning on July 1. During the week days we will be helping to build a playground in a rural school, all of the equipment will be created through tyres and other materials from Uganda, as they are big on being eco friendly.
“We will also be teaching the children about our culture and language, and they introduce us to theirs.
“I’m definitely very nervous but super excited, everyone on the trip seems very nice and they accommodate everything.”
The schools which Lily will be helping create playgrounds for and implementing the Educational Play programme will get to benefit from incredible results which many already have experienced.
Prior to her trip, Lily has to raise £1,750 for the charity, so far, having raised more than £1,200 for the cause, she hopes to raise even more through this event.
“I have had such incredible support from my family and friends, my previous fundraiser everyone came together and we raised over £800 at a coffee morning,” said Lily.
“I have to raise £1,750 before I leave, all of it goes to the charity, I’m currently about £500 away from my goal.
“If anyone feels like baking a cake for the concert that would definitely help!”
Tickets can be purchased from Hatherleigh Community Centre, Monday-Friday, 9am-noon, and donations can be made to Lily’s JustGiving : www.justgiving.com/page/lily-bater-1697569477231