BORDERS Exploration Group are desperately seeking new leaders for their next expedition to Brazil without whom, the trip can't go ahead.

The group, which has been going for 20 years, is a charity run by volunteers which takes young people from the Borders on life changing trips to worldwide destinations.

But the annual trips are dependant on people volunteering to come along as group leaders, and this year the lack of people coming forward is worrying the group's chairman, David Hunter.

He said: “We offer a really unique opportunity for young people in the Borders and it would be a shame if this had to stop because we didn't have enough leaders on board. What we do is immensely beneficial to our young people. It educates them, raises their awareness of environmental concerns, and teaches them about different cultures and people of the world.

“We have really struggled to gather leaders for our 2017 Brazil trip. We currently have about six but would be looking to recruit three or four more.

“We need enough leaders to cover the 25 young people we take.

“We never have any shortage of young venturers applying. We normally get about 90 a year and we feel terrible having to turn people away we wish we could take everyone.

“It's a real shame that we can get the same enthusiasm from leaders. Because without them we can't go on the expeditions.

“Applications were supposed to close in October, but we've had to extend it to the end of December in the hope people will come forward.

Over the years, the group has ventured on international expeditions to places such as Malawi, Peru, Vietnam, Zambia, Chile, Cuba.

They are also well travelled in Europe having visited places including the Rhine Valley, Romania, Norway, Poland, Ukraine and, most recently, Austria, in June this year, where they also spent part of the time in Germany.

The expeditions typically involve: a community phase, where they do some work to help a local community; a cultural and environmental phase where they learn about the country they are in, and; an adventure phase; time to have fun and explore the land.

Border Telegraph:

The group at Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany, earlier this year.

 

David explains: “We are looking for leaders who are enthusiastic, up for a challenge, who are good working with young people, and who have a great team mentality.

“This could even be someone as young as 22 or 23, younger people shouldn't be put off coming forward. We would take on someone who has experience travelling or experience with community projects in other countries. Or even someone who has been on previous trips with us and wants to move up from a venturer to a leader role.

David wants to reassure those who might be reluctant to volunteer for the position: “I think people can be a bit put off applying because of the fundraising part.

“All of our leaders and venturers have to raise £2,200 in order to come on the trip. But nobody has ever struggled to do this, so I stress to people not to be put off by having to raise the funds. The group has been running for over 20 years and no one has ever had to pull out because they couldn't raise the money.

“We all help each other out with fundraising ideas and campaigns too.”

“The leaders are kind of like a big buddy to the young people they are assigned to look after. We each get a certain number of youngsters we are responsible for, on the run up the trip as well as on it. They help the venturers with fundraising, assist and advise from a medical perspective, and everybody has a wobble or two before they go so they are there to reassure our youngsters as well.”

Everybody involved is trained over six weekends before departure to make sure they are prepared and know what to expect from the trip. But it's also to team build and create bonds and friendships which will also be beneficial to them while they are away.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a leader can contact group leaders David 07885781875 or Nancy 07792221449. Or email brazil@borders-exploration-group.org.uk