A FORMER Tavistock College student has paid tribute to the generosity of town residents who have helped him fundraise towards a charity trip to Nepal.

Freddie Thompson, 22, is leaving for Nepal on December 6, where he will stay until the end of February.

Freddie said: 'I am volunteering on behalf of Restless Development. It is a youth-led organisation and one of the world leaders in its field of youth-led development.

'The voluntary work I'll be taking part in will be varied, essentially our aim is to empower the children we'll be working with through education.'

Through the work of the volunteers, it is hoped to encourage young people to acquire the skills needed to pursue meaningful livelihood opportunities and make responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. The charity also hopes their work will encourage youngsters to take active roles within society.

Freddie became involved in Restless Development after he applied to the International Citizens Service, the UK's foremost international volunteer programme for young people.

Freddie said: 'I hope the whole experience will be life changing, hopefully I will be able to make a small difference to lives of the Nepalese people I encounter.'

Freddie, who works at the Co-op in Tavistock's Market Street, has had to raise £800 for Restless Development as part of the volunteer programme.

He said: 'As part of my fundraising I was allowed by my manager, Darren Bishop, to have a collection bucket in the Co-op.

'I have been genuinely humbled by the support and kindness of everyone who has supported me.

'I know a few people have given £10-plus, but even the smallest donations have built up together and have gone some distance in helping to me take part and volunteer in Nepal.'

Freddie said he was hugely grateful to everyone who has donated towards his fundraising. So far donations by Co-op shoppers have raised some £160 towards his target.

For more information on Restless development go to http://www.restlessdevelopment.org">www.restlessdevelopment.org

For more information about the International Citizens Service, go to http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ICS">www.dfid.gov.uk/ICS