A 15-year-old girl from Yate will be going on a trip to Belgium as part of her Guiding training after being chosen in a national selection process.

Charlotte Poole has raised over £300 in various ways, all by herself so that she she can go on the trip.

She has been part of Westerleigh Rainbows since she was 5-years-old, she has gained numerous skills from the group and now serves as a Young Leader, helping to develop the next waves that join.

“I have really enjoyed being part of Guiding so far and I intend to continue volunteering for as long as possible,” she said.

Charlotte has been selected to go on a Belgium Trip in August later this year, the cost is around £550 and she has worked incredibly hard to raise her total so far.

“This will be a new and exciting experience for me,” Charlotte continued.

“I personally feel that I am going to get a lot out of this as it’s my first ever international trip.

“I have been on several summer camps with my Guide unit so I do have some experience with camping but being abroad is an opportunity for me to be able to see and try things that I have never experienced before which is intriguing for me.”

Charlotte has already raised £325 in a number of ways, including a cake sale and a sponsored 1-mile swim.

“I am very thankful to 1st Westerleigh guides for giving me some amazing opportunities to raise money for this trip,” she said.

“I’m also very grateful that Yate Leisure Centre gave us the swimming lane for free for the sponsored swim that I did recently.

"I am taking on the St Mary's 5K run this weekend and am hoping to get a bit of sponsorship fr that to raise the last bit.

"It isn't my intention to get sponsorship out of this, I just want to encourage people to take on something new and join the Rainbows, Brownies or Guides.

"It is really rewarding and I want to see others joining up.