British Exploring Society Namibia 2021 Fundraiser

March 2021 update

I thought I should write another update on my progress because last weekend I completed my sponsored walk, rather luckily on a beautiful sunny day!

Because of my expedition change from Peru to Namibia, I also had to change my 10 mile route around the Peruvian Embassy, restaurants and Paddington Bear statues. There are rather less Namibia related places to be found around London, so we quite loosely linked places that were actively Namibian with those that were more to do with the desert and the local wildlife:

- We started at a Zebra Café in Abbey Road in St John’s Wood, then to the Zoo where we aimed for the view of the Giraffe House from the Canal.
- The next stop was the Elephant Pub in Camden, followed by sandwiches in Gordon Square, at the back of the University of London.
- From there we walked to Red Lion Square, not just a wild beast, but also where the Friends of Namibia Society – an anti-apartheid group that helped lobby for Namibia’s independence – was formed in 1969.
- Sandland Street was quite nearby (a sort of reference to the desert!) and then on to Old Bond Street to de Beers who still buy most of Namibia’s diamonds.
- Next stop was the Namibian High Commission in Chandos Place.
- And finally we walked all the way across Hyde Park to the Royal Geographical Society where the British Exploring Society is based.

It was meant to be a 10 mile walk – however with detours for interesting places and ice cream, and a malfunctioning tube which meant we had to get out at a different station on our way home, it ended up a whopping 15 mile trek! 

Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported me on my journey so far. I have another £710 to raise and will be continuing to keep you up to speed with my efforts. Please do share my page with anyone who you think might want to support a youth charity with an excellent reputation for helping young people achieve life-changing experiences.



January 2021 update

All change! Peruvian Amazon becomes Namib Desert!

So this week the British Exploring Society got in touch with the bad news that they have taken the decision to cancel the Peruvian Amazon expedition for 2021 and probably for 2022 as well.  As you will probably already know, Peru has been hard hit by Covid and communities have been devastated. The BES feel that it is not feasible or responsible to take an expedition there.

Although I totally understand the reasons why, I am heartbroken not to be visiting the Amazon.

However, the good news is that we have been offered the chance to choose from two other expeditions, either the Canadian Yukon or the Namibian Desert! I have chosen to go to Namibia and am now getting my head around the idea of a totally different environment. I hope that you will feel that I am taking on something that is just as challenging. My fundraising target for the British Exploring Society is the same and the expedition will be the same diverse socio-economic mix of young people from across the UK.

I thought you might be interested to read some of the information about the Namibia expedition from the BES:

“Departing the UK, you will fly to Windhoek, the capital of Nambia, via a connecting flight. Depending on your time of arrival, you may spend a night in the city. Then you will leave Windhoek for base camp. Throughout your time in the Namib, your Fire will be wild camping. There will be no access to toilets or showers. Food will be prepared on stoves and consist of some fresh food, dried and tinned food, with snacks during the day. You and your Fire (team) will have the opportunity to discover the vast and beautiful landscape of Namibia. Trek through this impressive landscape while learning about the habitats of majestic animals like elusive African elephants, black rhinos, and giraffes. Gain new practical skills as you document your experience through creative media projects and take part in scientific fieldwork. At the heart of all British Exploring Society expeditions is a skilled team of expedition leaders, medics, scientists, educators and youth workers. Your Leaders will be with you throughout your expedition, working with you as part of a team and helping you learn skills, expand your knowledge and develop as a person every day.”

I have been overwhelmed by your generosity in supporting my fundraising target. As donors you have helped me reach 60% of my target. And it is awesome that gift aid is adding to the pot for the charity to be able to continue its work empowering young people from all backgrounds with the courage, resilience and determination to make the most of their future. 

I can’t thank you all enough, you have been so kind. I have been particularly excited by the donations coming in from all over the world. Thank you for contributing so much and helping me get several steps nearer to my wilderness expedition.

I'm still fundraising towards my expedition challenge target - now to Namibia! And I'm looking forward to my new, exciting adventure and really hoping that it will go ahead in 2021. Everyone please cross your fingers! Many thanks for your generous donations.

Best wishes, Juno x




Please help me fundraise for the 2021 expedition to the Peruvian Amazon

I have been awarded a place on a 3-week British Exploring Society expedition to the Peruvian Amazon this summer. This will be an extraordinary opportunity to experience the Amazon and learn about one of the world’s most fragile and valuable ecosystems. 

British Exploring Society expeditions are about experiencing life in the wild first-hand and discover the world in a way that no textbook can teach you. They combine wilderness adventure and scientific research projects, sending young people from different backgrounds from across the UK into unknown worlds.

How much money do I need to raise for the charity?
The first part of the challenge that the British Exploring Society sets its Young Explorers is to fundraise for the charity. While places on the expedition are largely funded by grants, trust and generous donors, it is important that expeditioners contribute back to the BES and show our commitment. Our expedition’s fundraising challenge is the Dwayne Fields Challenge, named after the young British-Jamaican explorer, and I have a target of £3,000 to raise by 10 May 2021.

Fundraising Contribution Amount
1st Contribution - £300 - 13/11/20
2nd Contribution - £1050 - 11/01/21
3rd Contribution - £1050 - 29/03/21
4th Contribution - £600 - 10/05/21
 
What will the expedition be like?
The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the second largest protected area within the Peruvian Amazon. Unlike other areas of the Amazon rainforest, the temperature in Pacaya Samiria remain relatively constant throughout the year with rainfall decreasing slightly during June, July and August when the expedition is due to take place. Despite this rainfall throughout the year is much higher than you might expect in the UK and explorers can expect daytime temperatures of up to 32 degrees with temperatures at night falling as low as 22 degrees and a constant high level of humidity.

The expedition will involve cutting our way through dense vegetation, exploring hidden jungle valleys and remote cochas (lakes) and under-taking scientific research, including species counts and recording wildlife with camera traps. The terrain is rugged and rough, there are no paths to follow (or open spaces) and we will be trekking through rainforest over muddy and slippery terrain. It will be hot and wet, and we will need to protect ourselves from biting insects and other hazards.


About me
I am Juno Harrowes, 16 years old and living in Acton, West London. I go to Twyford CofE School and am studying A Level Geography, Sociology and Drama. I have always enjoyed walking and outdoor activities with my family and have achieved my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award. 

For me, the expedition will allow me to pursue my future ambitions to work within environmental protection and sustainability projects. I hope that it will also build my confidence, develop my courage to engage with new opportunities, and give me the ability to push myself to achieve when challenges seem beyond reach. And I know that I will form great friendships, just like my mum did when she went on a British Exploring Expedition to Iceland in the 80s.



What is the British Exploring Society?
BES is a world-class youth development charity which empowers and equips young people with the courage, resilience and determination to make the most of their future. Established in 1932, they have organised over 100 expeditions across all seven continents with over 10,000 leaders and explorers having taken part. Initially an organisation which offered places to young men from predominantly private school backgrounds, the charity is now determinedly pursuing a strategy of engaging with young people from diverse communities and backgrounds.

The BES establish what skills and support a young person will need to feel prepared to take part in an expedition, be it their first time camping in the wilderness or their first travel away from home. This includes joining a UK-based induction and training event and working towards a fundraising challenge, supported by British Exploring Society HQ Staff and professional volunteer Leaders.

While on expedition, Young Explorers are split into groups called “Fires”. The charity wants to help young people to appreciate their own strengths and skills within a group setting and be able to support those of the other Young Explorers around them. The charity hopes that we will acquire empowering real-life knowledge, ideas and understanding about the world, and be introduced to different perspectives.

None of the BES expeditions have an itinerary, instead Young Explorers are empowered with skills which enable them to have the confidence and agency to shape their own expeditions, focusing on positive risk-taking, increased responsibility and overcoming challenges.

The expedition’s highly skilled Leaders work in a variety of different fields, including archaeology, biological sciences, geography, law, education, social work, media and medicine, providing Young Explorers with individual support, rich learning opportunities and illuminating perspectives on potential paths through adult life.  They volunteer hundreds of hours to support our training and expedition delivery.