Hello! My name is Richard White; I have been a student at Stantonbury since Year 8, and I have just completed my A Levels in Politics, English Literature, History and General Studies. Instead of going straight to University, I made the decision to take a gap year in order to give me the opportunity to take a break from the intensity of education, broaden my horizons, and gain new skills.

Luckily for me, a renowned gap year charity called Project Trust visited and spoke to Year 12 students, they offered everything I was looking for! After an intensive week long selection course on the remote Hebridean island of Coll, I was chosen to spend 12 life changing months teaching English to 15-18 year olds in Xinjiang province, located in the poor rural north-west of China.

China is a country still ravaged by inequality. Without passing English, these already disadvantaged students don’t stand a chance of making it in to Higher Education. As their teacher, I will be relied upon to ensure that they can progress to the next stage of their lives.

Equally, this opportunity will help me be successful in the next stage of my life. I will have the chance to learn a new language, engross myself in a completely new culture and see the world from a different perspective.

In order to do this however, I need to raise £4,950. I’ve been working hard to get the funds all year, but I’m still not quite there. If you would like to help me reach my target, please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/richardwhite11 - any donation would be hugely appreciated!