Madam, My name is Josie Bailey, I am a 15-year-old, year 9 student at John Kyrle High School, Ross-on-Wye.

I recently applied and successfully gained a place to go on an expedition to Nepal for three weeks in August 2014. I will be volunteering to help the local people in Pokhara with building projects and teaching English to young children in orphanages.I am going with Hereford Expedition Group (HEG ) but as a condition of my acceptance I must raise the £1750 cost myself.

I was hoping you would be able to feature my plight in the Ross Gazette asking local businesses and people if they would be so kind as to sponsor me. I would be extremely grateful as we have been set minimum targets of raising £400 every three months.

Josie Bailey, Ross