FOURTEEN-year-old Layla Richardson is planning to travel to Central America on the adventure of a lifetime – and she’s hoping King Charles will help her get there.
The Edgebarrow pupil needs to raise £3,000 to join a project in Honduras monitoring the decline of environment biodiversity in the Central American country.
The talented art student is selling T-shirts and tote bags she designed commemorating the Coronation of King Charles on Saturday, May 6. Proceeds will fund her trip with a donation from each sale going to local schools selling the items.
She will travel to a unique project run by the Wallacea Trust, a charity involved in conservation projects around the world.
Layla, from Crowthorne, said: “When my school told me about the Operation Wallacea expedition I was really excited at having the opportunity to travel to one of the poorest countries in the world and be part of much needed research on the decline of forest and oceanic biodiversity.
“The expedition is entirely self-funded and, as I’ve always loved art and design, I came up the with idea of making T-shirts for the coronation. I thought it would be so great to make something people could keep as a souvenir especially as there will be lots of community events.
“Our local schools and church have been really supportive, so I wanted to donate some of the money I raise back to schools and the local food bank.
“It would make me so happy to see people coming together for this special occasion wearing my T-shirts and using my tote bags.”
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Mum Anita said she and husband Ian were “immensely proud” of their daughter’s efforts.
“It really will be quite an adventure for Layla to travel half way round the world at such a young age and to help with a very important environmental project,” she explained.
“She will be out there for three weeks living and working with young people from different countries. Honduras will be very different from Crowthorne but she is really excited and prepared for the challenge.”
Anita said younger sister, Polly aged nine, and older brother Dominic, who is at university, are equally proud of what Layla is doing.
“She is very creative so it seemed an ideal opportunity to make her own Coronation souvenir featuring King Charles,” Anita added.
“The T-shirts and bags are souvenirs of a special moment in history and a way to help get her to Honduras next year. Of course, Layla is also looking at other fundraiser idea sincluding a part-time job during the holidays, babysitting and baking cakes.”
Ordersf or the t-shirts and bags can be made through three local schools, St Sebastian’s, Wildwood Heath School and Oakfield Junior as well as St John the Baptist Church in Waterloo Road, Crowthorne.
To order your Coronation souvenir, email: [email protected]
