A LUGWARDINE teenager is preparing for the biggest adventure of her life – representing the county in a girlguiding community project in Kenya next year.

Millie Manning, 16, has been involved in guiding since she was just six years old and was made a young leader at St Francis Xavier Brownies around a year ago.

And following an international selection meeting earlier this year, the Hereford Sixth Form student was chosen to represent the county in a school-based community project in Kenya.

"I feel so honoured to be representing the county because it made me feel so good to be chosen out of all those people and it’s such an amazing opportunity," said Millie.

"Every year, Hereford County Girlguiding hold INTOPS (international selection) which is a weekend that a large number of guides and senior section members in Hereford will attend if they are interested in going on an international trip.

"At these weekends you take part in challenges and team building activities – a couple we did this year include making a ski jump out of spaghetti and marshmallows and being made to trek through the countryside at midnight."

During the weekend, county commissioners and international advisers observed and interviewed the girls to see who they considered helpful or a team player.

"On the last day of the weekend I was shortlisted alongside about five out of around 30 people who went to the weekend to be considered for the trip to Kenya,” said Millie.

“I then had a phone call a few days later to say I’d been selected and I was so happy because I didn’t think I stood a chance as all the girls shortlisted were older than me and obviously there was only one space that could be filled."

Though Millie will be involved in a project at a school in the slums of Nairobi, it would not be safe for the girls to travel there so they will instead work with locals at a base in Nyeri.

But before she can go, there is one big challenge ahead. Millie needs to raise around £2,500 to help fund the trip.

To help get her on her way, Millie is holding a coffee and cake morning next month.

It takes place at Holmer Parish Church Centre, Hereford, on Saturday November 8 between 10.30am and 1.30pm where there will be coffee, cake, a book stall and tombola.

Anyone who would like to donate to Millie's venture can email jph@herefordtimes.com