We feel that raising sponsorship is an important part of preparing yourself for your year out. It shows to others your determination and initiative, and demonstrates to yourself your ability to rise to a challenge.

Project Trust is a registered charity and every volunteer is expected to fund-raise the money needed to go overseas with Project Trust. The target is £4950. But don't panic! We are always on hand to help you and are proud of the back up and support we give to our volunteers in the field.This pays for:

It actually costs more than £4950 to send each volunteer overseas, but Project Trust raises an additional £650 for each volunteer to fund their year.

Most volunteers are surprised by the response to their efforts and many raise more than the sum required and enjoy the challenge. Very few volunteers have problems and if they do arise, they are helped by Project Trust's own sponsors to reach their final target.

If you don't make the target, yet we feel you have made a genuine effort, we will do our best to get you overseas, but we do expect every volunteer to raise the full amount.

As a small charity Project Trust relies upon the utmost fundraising effort of all our volunteers to ensure that we continue to give you a fulfilling gap year.

What information do I give my sponsors?

The annual report gives you the breakdown of where the money comes from and how it is spent. Volunteers generally make up a small appeal leaflet about themselves and use this for their fund-raising.

What help and advice am I given?

An important part of the selection course is spent learning how to fund-raise, and how to make the most of the support available. Once you have been selected we will send you a comprehensive fund-raising booklet with ideas and information. In addition there is always a member of staff willing to give you help or advice over the telephone.

When selection courses are over we will arrange a series of fundraising workshops for you and your parents, held at the same time as the parents? evenings. These will be run by experienced staff that aim to help you with ideas for fundraising events and offer encouragement.

Are there any additional costs that I should know about?

You will be expected to fund journeys from your home to Oban and back for selection, training and debriefing. This journey could cost anything up to £100 return with a rail or coach card for each journey. Information on how to get the best deal to Oban is on our website. Project Trust pays for the cost of the ferry crossing to Coll. You will also need to pay for your own visa which could cost up to £150, your medical examination and inoculations, and equip yourself for the year with clothing. You might, for example, have to buy a sleeping bag or rucksack. Baggage insurance is advisable as well.

You will need to take some spending money with you: around £1,000 would be an average sum, but this can depend upon which country you go to. Project Trust does not encourage you to take too much money overseas: this would be unfair on other members of the group and means that you might tend to live and travel at a standard not consistent with your role as a volunteer.

A recent survey showed that the average parent paid out about £2000 over the eighteen months of your involvement with Project Trust, which compared with the costs of a year at school or university was considered very good value.