Hello I’m Reuben, I’m 14 years old and live in Paignton.

I’m fundraising for a 4 week Expedition to Cambodia in the Summer of 2027 following the completion of my GCSE’s. The Expedition will be a fantastic and life changing opportunity, as I will be there to help and work in remote and rural communities, where I will form part of a small team and be participating in a range of environmentally sustainable projects including building wells to supply fresh drinking water and water for irrigation, building toilets, refurbishing and extending classrooms in local schools, and building a library. I’ll spend time working in the Jungle Garden at one of the camps to tackle the issues of food production in the dry season, and will also be taking part in wildlife conservation projects. Whilst there I will have the opportunity to take part in an adventure activity where I will be given the opportunity to undertake my PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Qualification. You can find more details of the expedition in the photos below and throughout my page.

I’ve created this page, with the help of my mum, to be the base of my fundraiser and document this amazing journey that I’m about to embark upon. The page will be used to document my journey, the progress of the fundraiser, and ultimately the Expedition itself!

I have just paid the Expedition deposit, a sum of a little over £500, from my own money which I’ve frugally saved over the years, and aim to fundraise the rest though different activities over the next 20 months; bake sales, school events, work, sponsorship, donations etc.

A little bit about me; I’ve just started my GCSE’s in year 10, and love my school which has the most amazing, kind and supportive teachers! My favourite subjects are English and History, of which my favourite time period is Medieval. I enjoy reading about Greek and Norse Mythology, and enjoy Philosophy. I enjoy conversations about Ethics, and listening to different perspectives and views on things.

I am respectful of others and like to be given responsibility. I have recently acquired the position of Deputy Head Boy at my school, and would like to take on the roll of Head Boy next year. I was diagnosed with Autism earlier in the summer, which has been a hard journey over the last few years, but I will never shy away from a challenge or adventure! As such in the last year I have completed a week long Sailing Course with Ocean Youth Trust, and obtained my RYA Sailing Qualification. And have also completed my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award - my legs will never be the same again!

In my free time I like to game and spend time with my friends, family and pets.

I am passionate about wildlife, the environment and conservation. As part of my DofE I chose to do litter picking around my home town as part of the volunteering criteria of my certification, which found this to be very enjoyable and rewarding, as it gives me a sense of pride to help look after our beautiful town for all to enjoy, so much so that I have continued to do this in my spare time. If you haven’t already you’ll often spot me around Paignton and Goodrington, sometimes accompanied by my mum and brother. Feel free to give us a wave or stop to say hello when you spot us.

I’m really proud to be doing this, and am very much looking forward to the process involved with fundraising, and know that by doing this myself and raising the money needed to take part in the Expedition, that not only will this be a huge accomplishment in itself, I will have the Expedition to look forward to, which I know is truly a wonderful opportunity thats been presented to me, that I will then be able to take part in upon successful completion of the fundraising.

For updates and progress on my fundraising, check out my Facebook page here:

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www.facebook.com/ReubensCambodiaExpedition

Thank you for reading.