SEVEN young Chiswick residents are striving to raise funds for a ground breaking exploration on the west coast of Canada as a key part of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold award programme.

Based out of the Sutton Court Open Centre, the seven youngsters - Emma Callister, Tasha d'Cruz, Sarah Jones, Jo Manville, Celia Surtees, Nathalie Watson and Nathan White - are now planning their trip which is built around a project to learn more about Canada's First Nation people.

To complete this part of their award programme, they will be visiting Vancouver, Victoria and Kamloops in British Columbia in July to learn about the native Indian heritage, history, customs and life which will be incorporated in a project presentation for the physical stage of the award programme.

Since last June, each person has been targeted to raise £1,000 to fund the basic cost of the trip.

Individually they have been earning money to make monthly contributions to ensure they reach their total, alongside their work and AS study commitments.

However, on top of the individual contribution, there is a need to raise a further sum to cover local transport, living and activity costs whilst in Canada.

To date they have already raised a considerable sum through activity days at the church hall, quizzes, children's parties etc. but there is still a shortfall to be raised.

The group are working hard to sell raffle tickets as well as find donations for an auction in early May, but they will still need to raise more.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is highly regarded as a tough and challenging award to gain. It is valued by universities and employers as a badge of perseverance, initiative, organisation, planning and good communication skills.

The four parts making up the award demand effort and commitment from each person in order to achieve the top, Gold Award and this is what these young people are working to achieve.

If any reader or organisation would like to make a donation, sponsor the trip in any way or learn more about their Duke of Edinburgh Award trip - please contact Carol Powers, at Sutton Court Methodist Youth Centre, Sutton Court Road, Chiswick, W4 4NL or call her on 020 8747 1052.

May 1, 2003 16:00