** Please ignore the 'suggested donation'. Any amount helps, even a few pounds. The suggested donation is system generated by gofundme and I can't turn it off **

Very sadly, the company that was due to take Matilda and her schoolmates to Malawi has gone bust, so the school has been working hard to secure a new trip with a different provider. The new company wasn’t able to offer the same Malawi itinerary for next July, so after a lot of discussions, a new destination has finally been confirmed… the Atlas Mountains in Morocco!

Matilda will now be volunteering in local communities that are still recovering from the devastating earthquake that struck the region in 2023.

The Red Cross have done an amazing job in helping communities to rebuild after the disaster, however local school communities still need a lot of help.

Matilda will engage in a hands-on community project in a rural Berber village in the Atlas Mountains. Typical tasks include digging irrigation channels, building or repairing fences, painting classrooms, and assisting with small construction projects at local schools. The focus is on supporting local education and improving facilities for children in the village. All projects are chosen in consultation with village leaders to ensure the work is genuinely useful and benefits the local school community. The goal is for students to work alongside local people, learn about daily life in the mountains, and leave a tangible, positive impact.

The three of us will still be walking the London Marathon to raise funds for her charity trip, but we completely understand if you’d prefer a refund or would like to adjust your original donation, as the trip is no longer the one you initially supported.

Thanks so much.

Rach, Kev & Matilda xxx

Hi! I’m Matilda, I’m 15 years old, and I’m raising money to travel to Malawi with the amazing charity Malawi Schools Trust, where I’ll be working directly with local communities to help improve education for girls and boys in rural areas.

Earlier this year, I read the story of Talia, a girl in Malawi who had to walk over 3 hours a day just to reach school. That’s more than 6 hours of walking daily, in extreme weather, after chores just for the chance to learn.

When Talia received a bicycle, everything changed. She now attends school regularly, is thriving in class, and has real hopes for the future. I want to help more children like Talia, and now I’ve got the chance to do just that.

✈️ What I’m Fundraising For:

I’m raising money to travel to Malawi and take part in hands-on, meaningful work with Malawi Schools Trust, including:

• Helping deliver bikes so children can get to school safely

• Supporting girls’ education through mentoring and menstrual health initiatives

• Assisting with school development projects like classrooms, boreholes (clean water), and toilets

• Working hand in hand with local communities to improve infrastructure in rural villages

• Taking on a trek across the Mulanje Massif, one of Malawi’s most iconic mountain ranges

‍♀️ How I’m Raising the Money:

Instead of just asking for donations from friend and family, I’m challenging myself to raise the funds through action. I’ll be walking the full London Marathon route (26.2 miles) in one day to represent what girls like Talia experience just to get to and from school.

I decided to do this specific challenge as I wanted to gain a small insight into what it must be like for children like Talia as education should never be out of reach for any child.

About Malawi Schools Trust:

• Supports 750+ extra children in school

• Helped 4 schools become self-sustaining in just 6 years

• Partners with World Bicycle Relief and other inspiring organizations

• Listens to local communities to meet real needs and build long-lasting change

Why It Matters to Me:

Education is a basic right, but for many children especially girls in rural Malawi, barriers like distance, lack of supplies, and unsafe facilities make school incredibly hard to access.

This trip is my opportunity to be part of something bigger: learning, helping, and making a difference alongside communities working hard for their children’s futures.

Every donation, no matter how small, helps me get to Malawi and be part of this life-changing work, helping children get on bikes, into classrooms, and on the road to a brighter future.

Thank you so much for reading and for supporting a cause that means so much to me!

With love,

Matilda xx