One week to go and most of the hard work preparing is done. The temperature has gone up in the last few days and we have some summer storms - this will probably be similar to the weather in The Gambia - so get used to it Any more money around…

26 days to go today and we can nearly forget the fundraising and move onto focusing onto the expedition itself! Only nearly though - I have been to the bank twice this week to make about 10 different deposits. We made £650 profit on the Barn Dance which although was…

So the England football team have crashed and burned so it's up to us to represent England on our international trip! Tonight we have our final big fundraiser, a Barn Dance. Tickets sales have been slow - we have enough now to have a good evening but we are not…

The World Cup has kicked off but once it's done we will only be a few days away from the Gambia expedition. Get some tips from the England team for managing the heat and humidity! We are getting some grants through so that situation is looking slightly better however I…

No excuse for this one to be late but I have been trying to get a few other things sorted out. From Hornchurch's point of view we have now raised about £13200 out of our fundraising target of £16000, but our grant total so far is only £1600 out of…

Sorry been away a few days so missed the 8 week deadline. And also managed to miss the fantastic sounding Dog Show event - if we get the matched funding we should raise £2300 - an absolutely brilliant amount - many thanks to Susie and Jen for sorting again -…

Last Sunday 30 participants got together for the third of the four planning sessions. Various jobs were completed including an update, vaccinations, introduction to hygiene and Gambian culture, practising Scouting skills and counting Buy a Brick money. In the next 3-4 weeks we have to complete fundraising - the Dog…

In 70 days about the time I am writing this we will heading to Gatwick airport on our way to The Gambia. We have unfortunately had to cancel the Treasure Hunt due on Saturday - probably the wrong time of year as we are in exam season - however our…

A couple of days late so actually 10 weeks and 5 days to go. A leader's meeting last week and tomorrow night is District Executive so I have to explain where we have got to and how much there is to do. There is still some climbing sponsorship money to…

I have been to the bank today and paid in £8500, mainly in cheques for the second payments and some of the fundraising money from the Southend contingent, although there were still a few hundred pound coins to weigh and check from the donut selling last weekend! This takes us…

Hi all - I will be updating weekly on this blog to let you all know how we are doing. Final payments are now due - thanks to those who have already paid, We have just sold 600 donuts at St Georges Day Parade - well done all, and well…