Proof That It's Possible 🌍
Every fundraiser on this page started exactly where you are now — with a big target, no idea where to begin, and a mix of excitement and nerves. Read their stories, steal their strategies, and remember: if they can do it, so can you.
Jake, 17
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Camps International🌍 Destination: Kenya
"I honestly thought there was no way I could raise £4,500. But once I broke it down into smaller chunks and started getting local businesses involved, it suddenly felt doable."
How Jake raised his money
💡 Jake's Top Tip
"Don't be embarrassed to ask local businesses for sponsorship. The worst they can say is no — and most of them said yes. I got £1,200 from just three local companies."
Sophie, 16
Bristol, Avon
World Challenge🏔️ Destination: Nepal
"Baking was my thing anyway, so turning it into a business just made sense. I started small — cakes at school — and by the end I had a proper order list every week."
How Sophie raised her money
💡 Sophie's Top Tip
"Set up a JustGiving page from day one and share it everywhere. I was surprised how many people donated just from seeing a Facebook post my mum shared."
Mia, 16
Edinburgh, Scotland
WSJ South Korea🇰🇷 Destination: South Korea (World Scout Jamboree)
"The cashback thing sounds boring but honestly it was the easiest money I raised. I just got my whole family on easyfundraising and reminded them every time they were booking anything."
How Mia raised her money
💡 Mia's Top Tip
"Get every family member signed up to easyfundraising — grandparents, aunts, uncles, everyone. When they book holidays, car insurance, or do their weekly shop, you earn cashback for free. My family raised £740 without doing anything extra."
Ethan, 17
Manchester, Greater Manchester
True Adventure🌴 Destination: Costa Rica
"I used social media properly — not just posting 'please donate' but actually documenting my training and making it entertaining. People started following my journey and the donations came naturally."
How Ethan raised his money
💡 Ethan's Top Tip
"Make your social media posts about the journey, not just the money. Share your training, your prep, why you're going. People donate to people they feel connected to — not just to a JustGiving link."
Chloe, 15
Cardiff, Wales
Global Action🌿 Destination: Borneo
"I started making resin art as a hobby and realised I could sell it. I set up an Etsy shop and did local markets at weekends. It took consistency but the money added up faster than I expected."
How Chloe raised her money
💡 Chloe's Top Tip
"Turn a hobby into a business. If you already enjoy making something, you're halfway there. I was making resin art anyway — I just started charging for it. The hardest part was believing people would actually pay."
Tom, 18
Norwich, Norfolk
Camps International🏛️ Destination: Cambodia
"I taught myself basic website design on YouTube and started offering it to local small businesses. Within three months I had four clients and had raised over £2,000 from that alone."
How Tom raised his money
💡 Tom's Top Tip
"Think about what skills you have that people would pay for. I had no idea anyone would pay me for websites until I just asked. Also — apply for grants. Most people don't bother, which means less competition."
Amara, 16
Birmingham, West Midlands
World Challenge🦁 Destination: Tanzania
"I blended my own herbal teas and sold them at markets and online. One of my TikTok videos went a bit viral and I suddenly had 200 orders in a week. It was stressful but amazing."
How Amara raised her money
💡 Amara's Top Tip
"Don't underestimate TikTok. I wasn't trying to go viral — I just filmed myself making tea and talked about why I was raising money. Be authentic and consistent and the audience will come."