Firepot fundraiser for intrepid traveller

Georgia Phillips is off on an Expedition – the 14-year-old is travelling to Costa Rica and Nicaragua next year.

But before she heads overseas, she’s rolling up her sleeves and raising almost $9000 to pay for the World Challenge Expedition.

Soon (Tuesday September 24) Georgia will be waiting tables at the Firepot Café and chatting to folk about what she’s doing and why.

“I’ll be going to developing countries to get perspective and insight into how and why people live.”
She will be going on the four week trip with 20 others from her school, Waikato Diocesan.

It will mean moving out of her comfort zone, she says.

“I’m personally going on this expedition to gain a new perspective.”

The trip will include different phases; the project phase enables students to give back to a local community in need. This might include teaching primary school children games and songs, or helping with the construction of a building. Other activities will include taking part in short or overnight treks.
“Being an outdoor person, I’m looking forward to trekking the most as I have heard there are amazing trips through jungles, rain forests and up volcanoes. I love looking at wildlife so I can’t wait for that as well.”

All the organising, excluding plane trips and the first night accommodation, is organised by the team themselves. “We all get a turn at organising transport, our budget, food and itinerary.”

Mother Maree says the Firepot’s Michele Bishop kindly offered her business as a venue to hold the fundraising event.

“We told her she would need to raise as much of the funds needed as possible if she wanted to go, which she agreed to and came up with a list of fundraising ideas and plans on how to make them happen.”

That has resulted in Georgia riding her bike around the district distributing leaflets to mailboxes as well as visiting local businesses asking them to display posters.

“Georgia came home from school so excited about this opportunity and after the initial meeting we felt confident it would be a well organised, possibly life changing experience that we would be happy for her to be part of.”

Georgia plans to be at the Gordonton Country Market in November and more markets after that.
“I’m working on other event ideas such as a movie night, firewood trailer sale, Thai cooking night and a raffle,” Georgia says.

She’s looking forward to the fundraiser night.

“I’ll definitely be there, with the help of some friends and my mum. I will talk to the people who are interested in hearing more about the trip. And thanking the companies that have donated prizes or beverages for the night.”

What: A Night with the Girls, a fundraiser to help Georgia Phillips
When: Tuesday 24 September, from 7.30pm
Where: Gordonton’s The Firepot Café
Cost: Tickets $40

Includes a glass of bubbles or juice, continuous canapés and lucky ticket draws. Guest speakers from Nourish Magazine, Ohui vineyard and stylist Erena Te Paa.

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