A young volunteer who has won an award for his dedication to Galloway’s is encouraging people to follow him in signing up for the sight loss charity’s first ever overseas challenge.
Will Bamford has only been a volunteer for Galloway’s for four months. Yet in that time, he has raised more than £3,000, been named Young Volunteer of the Year at the South Ribble Council Community Awards and has signed up for the charity’s trek across the Inca Trail in Peru.
The 18-year-old from Longton started his volunteering journey last October with the Galloway’s Tuesday social group, and as an experienced air cadet, he soon moved on to support members at the shooting club every week.
But it is Will’s continual fund-raising efforts to support his Peru trek that has really got him noticed, as so far he has raised £3,399.
Speaking of the award, he said: “It was brilliant to be nominated. It shows what I am doing is appreciated by people and it is nice to get some form of recognition for it.
“I think the fact I was volunteering in an unusual activity, going shooting, and doing the fund-raising attributed to getting the award. I am pleased to have won.”
As a new volunteer, Will was more than eager to get involved with the charity’s first ever oversees challenge to Peru which takes place this October. With a fund-raising target of £3,850, he has been working hard to raise as much money as he can.
Will, who splits his time between working part time at Booths in Penwortham and volunteering, added: “I wanted to support Galloway’s as my nana, Margaret Bamford, had macular degeneration and was helped by Galloway’s before she died in 2012.
“Since October last year, I have been doing a lot of active fund-raisers in the community to show that Galloway’s is there. I started off doing a challenge to cycle a total of 6,000 miles through various rides, which is the distance between Preston and Peru as I wanted to do something people could see and get behind it.
“I have set up a static bike under a gazebo in several places which has raised awareness of my challenge and Galloway’s.
“I have also been doing bag packs which has been where most of the money has come from.”
There are still some spaces left to join the five-day trek, which takes place from October 9 to 18, and Will is encouraging anyone who is physically active to join him.
He said: “I wanted to sign up as it is an exciting challenge and is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “I have taken a gap year and when people ask what I have done, I can say I have climbed up a mountain in Peru and volunteered with Galloway’s.
“It is a great opportunity to get involved in. As soon as I signed up, Galloway’s posted some great ideas for fund-raising to help me reach my target.”
How Galloway’s will support you in your fund-raising
Galloway’s is organising a trek to Machu Picchu from October 9 to 18. Registration is £299 and the fund-raising target for each participant is £3,850.
Galloway’s, which has sites in Penwortham, Chorley, Morecambe and Southport, is here to support you both in your fund-raising and whilst on the trek.
Charlotte Carnell, events fund-raiser, has a list of fund-raising ideas and tips, to help you reach your target. This can include: sponsored walks, bag packing, cake sales, a charity night or dress down days.
Galloway’s can send out many fund-raising materials, such as balloons, banners, T-shirts and collection tins.
Participants will have access to training tips and regular updates from the exclusive Team Galloway’s group.
People are asked to raise a minimum of £3,850. A minimum of £1,540 will go directly to Galloway’s, as well as anything raised over the minimum sponsorship.
The costs include return flights, local transfers. Accommodation, UK tour leaders and a local support team, a UK doctor, most meals, a Galloway’s technical top to wear and a Galloway’s representative.
To sign up, visit https://www.galloways.org.uk/inca-trail or email charlotte.carnell@galloways.org.uk or call 01772 744 148.