GIRLGUIDES from Darlington are heading to Belfast to help combat food poverty.

Kate Bower and Emma Sawer, both 12, will travel to Northern Ireland on Sunday, August 16.

The pair will join a group of ten guides from the region in completing their first Girlguiding social action project.

During their time in Belfast, the group will volunteer in the local community by giving their time at a food bank as well as working with children at a bird sanctuary and gardening at the Ulster Transport Museum.

Each guide will be challenged to complete at least ten hours of volunteering during their trip.

Kate, from the 7th Darlington Guides and Emma, from the 1st Whorlton Guides, prepared for their trip by organising a series of fundraising events.

Kate raised money by putting on a disco and running stalls at a carnival while Emma held a sponsored silence and organised a raffle and cake sale.

Emma said: “My favourite part of this so far has been meeting lots of new people.

“I am most looking forward to helping in the bird sanctuary because I love animals and will really enjoy helping to look after them.”

Kate added: “I’m really looking forward to the fantastic experience and I’m the only person from 7th Darlington Guides on the trip so I’m looking forward to making new friends and helping others.”

The trip forms part of Girlguiding North East England’s international opportunities programme which offers international adventures to young women aged ten to 14 each year.

The project sends hundreds of girls on international trips to empower them to take part in community development work and to explore new cultures.

For more information, visit girlguiding.org.uk.