Two sisters from Noel among those in group fundraising for trip
FALL RIVER: Two sisters with the Fall River Ranger unit are among the eight members of the group and two chaperones who are hard at work fundraising to attend Wings 202, a Girl Guide jamboree in London, England.
Naomi Hammond and Mikayla Hammond, who both travel 84 kilometres round-trip weekly to the St. John’s United Church in Fall River from Noel, are excited about getting to go to Wings 2020, what the jamboree in England is named. It will be Naomi’s third jamboree, while for Mikayla it will be her first.
“Most of our fundraising is selling cookies, but it’s hard to with the cute little ones selling cookies too,” said Naomi with a chuckle. “Buying cookies from us is supporting our trip. Every one loves the six-year-olds, they forget about us 16-year-olds that also need to sell cookies.”
Among the other fundraisers are the Rangers are holding is a spaghetti dinner on Nov. 23 in Fall River, from 4-7 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Fall River. The sisters are encouraging many to come on out and enjoy a great meal, while supporting their endeavour. It will cost $12 for adults and $7 for children.
Naomi said it’s crazy the opportunities she’s received since joining the Girl Guide movement as a brownie at seven. You can also get a high school credit in Grade 10 and Grade 12 by being in Rangers/Girl Guides.
“We were just going to have something to do on Tuesday nights,” she said. “It wasn’t supposed to be anything. The fact there’s things like this, is really an amazing opportunity.”
Mikayla said the jamboree is called Wings 2020, and they will be doing a activity called the London Challenge which will take them to Big Ben and the London Eye. It will be held July 25 to Aug. 1.
“We’ll be doing different activities and get to see various things around London,” said Mikayla, who is home schooled.
“We also get to go to a west end show and I’m so excited for that,” added Naomi, who graduated a year early and attends Mount Saint Vincent. “I love musical theatre.”
Naomi said part of the trip involves them going to the Girl Guide movements world center in England; and a camp on the lawns of Windsor Castle.
Mikayla has never been outside of North America, so the trip is one she’s looking forward to.
“It will be very interesting,” she said.
Naomi, 17, said she will be spending her birthday in England.
“It seems like a pretty cool place to be spending your 18th birthday,” she said with a chuckle.
