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News: QUIZ NIGHT CANCELLED. Due to lack of support.

Hello, welcome to my site.
My name is Stephen Pike and I will be travelling to Belize next year (2007) in the name of conservation.

Contents:

• Who?
• Why?
• How?

Who?

I'm a Jersey (Channel Islands) resident, and have just completed a Computer Science Bachelors (Hons.) degree at the University of Wales, Swansea. Having graduated in July, I am taking a year out - July until February of 2007 will be dedicated to fundraising and working in Jersey in order to fund a voluntary conservation project with Trekforce Expeditions. This project will last for 2 months, starting late January 2007.

Trekforce Expeditions are a charitable organisation (registered charity number 1005452), founded in 1990. Unfortunately, as of December 2006 Trekforce the charity will no longer exist. I received a letter on the 31st July 2006 informing me that my trek will now be with Trekforce Worldwide, the company taking the charity's place. Obviously this is a massive disappointment, and raises some concerns. However, having spoken with Rob Murray John, the MD of both (separate) Trekforce entities, I am assured that the money raised is still used in the same manner; the focus is still on conservation and for me this is what matters. The only real difference being that as a company they can be more flexible with projects, expenditure and so on. Anyone who has already donated to me who would like more information, or your donation returned - please contact me

Trekforce operate in South America (Belize, Guatemala, Guyana, Peru) and Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak). They are dedicated to delivering challenging expedition programmes consisting of sustainable projects, language, teaching, and cultural experiences in diverse environments, which benefit the host country, in order to educate and inspire the volunteers. The February expedition will travel to Belize. All Trekforce's projects in Belize are run with the approval and co- operation of the Belizean Governments' Department of the Environment, The Belize Audubon Society and the British High Commission in Belize.

Why?

From a personal point of view, I'm doing this for a few reasons. The main one being that I have always had a keen interest in the natural world, this interest having been re-kindled recently for various reasons, including my trip to Australia.
The other reason is that I have been studying Computer Science for 3 years now, and feel I need to put some energy into my other interests, and hopefully give something back (for all the power and resources that computers use). The digital world is great, but nothing beats what has been provided for us naturally. (For anyone who has been wondering, the tree on the left is supposed to represent my journey away from the digital world! :)

From a global point of view, well, it's fair to say that we're making a mess of our planet. Conservation is so important. If we don't look after what we have, we soon will be without it. So, this is my small contribution; a voluntary conservation project with Trekforce to Belize. It's not much, but it's a start.

How?

How can you help? Well, as this is a voluntary effort, there are some costs incurred. Trekforce provide their volunteers with food and professional guides whilst in the jungle, along with emergency communications methods and support from the British Army. This all costs money, as does the employment of the Trekforce staff on site in the project locations. So, by no means are these costs unjustified. Nor will I, as a volunteer, be getting a free holiday out of this- the Trekforce projects are hard work for 2 months, resulting in some spectacular achievements.
If you would like to help me to raise the necessary funds (aiming for £2870, minimum) then please click here. Companies/Corporations wishing to sponsor me (in return for some free advertising!) should visit here. Thankyou!

Visitor N^o. 14311

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