Tain teen aims to take passion for horses to another level
Caitlin Goss is fundraising to support a volunteering trip to a Zimbabwean reserve next Summer
A Tain teenager is fundraising for a life-changing volunteering trip to Zimbabwe in July 2023.
Caitlin Goss is raising a total of £6,500, and so far through bake sales, quiz nights, football scratch cards and a fun day she has raised around £2,500.
Her most recent - and biggest - challenge took on the 4,413 foot climb to the peak of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Caitlin said: “This trip will be a chance for me to see the world and experience different cultures. It will be a chance for me to step outside the life I know.
“I’d really appreciate any donations, no matter how small, people can make to help make sure I can go on the trip.”
The volunteering opportunity will see the teen on an African game reserve for a month, and Caitlin is very clear: "It's absolutely not a holiday. We'll be doing stable management and everything that comes with that, we'll go out and check the borders, remove snares, and make sure all the animals are safe"
Caitlin’s love of horses started when she went into residential care in a children’s home in Inverness at 14.
Speaking of her love for horses, she said: “They’re calming and emotionally intelligent. They gave me comfort and space away from people when I needed it most. I’m so excited about the idea of getting to spend more time with them.”
Caitlin first saw the Worldwide Vets volunteering opportunity on Facebook but didn’t think it was possible for someone with care experience to go. But after speaking to staff in her unit she realised she had their support. Believing her dream could come true, she has been fundraising alongside Elaine Glen, a staff member at the children’s home she stays in who’ll be accompanying her on this trip.
Caitlin is a member of Who Cares? Scotland. It has been supporting her on this journey and is encouraging anyone who can donate to her fundraiser to do so.
Louise Hunter, CEO at Who Cares? Scotland, said: “As one of our members, we are incredibly impressed by Caitlin’s drive and determination to take part in this amazing opportunity. We think it’s so important for Care Experienced individuals to have access to these once in a lifetime adventures. Caitlin’s commitment to fundraising to ensure she can go on this trip is admirable, and we hope people are able to donate and give her the extra help that she needs.”
If you would like to support Caitlin, you can donate to her fundraising page here