A HAYES Girlguiding member has thanked everyone who helped her fund a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Malawi to help fellow Girl Guides develop their skills.

Emily Vallow, 25, who is leader with 3rd Greenford District Rainbows, went out to southeast Africa to meet girls and volunteers from the Malawi Girl Guides Association.

In her three weeks there she taught first aid skills, ran workshops in self-esteem and sessions on dealing with violence against women, building teamwork and leadership skills.

Miss Vallow raised all funds ahead of her trip in the summer by hosting a fair and organising loose change collections in the Hayes community.

She said: “It was great to see the girls and volunteers develop throughout the time we were there.

“The girls in particular gained loads of new skills, which was really rewarding.

“Taking part in this project has made me want to carry on working with guides, and other young women, to encourage them to challenge themselves and aim high.”

Her trip was part of the Guiding Overseas Linked with Development Scheme (GOLD).

The GOLD scheme, founded in 1991, offers young women between the ages of 18 and 30 the chance to develop their potential, improve their skills and make a positive difference in communities as far afield as Honduras, Madagascar, Russia, South Africa and Thailand.

For more information on GOLD and Girlguiding, go to www.girlguiding.org.uk