The sixth year high school pupil is among only 10 girls from Scotland to have been selected to join around 800 other Guides and Scouts at a Scout centre in the city of Akureyri.

The 3rd Hawick Guides young leader earned her place at the international week-long event after firstly representing the county during selections, and then impressing leaders at a residential weekend which was attended by around 50 girls from throughout Scotland.

The 'Viking Trail' jamboree will see Joanne mixing with Guides and Scouts from all over the world and taking part in a wide range of outdoor activities, workshops and performances. But before Joanne arrived in Akureyri, she jetted out to Reykjavík last Thursday, when she joined her fellow Scots counterparts for a host of tours and activities.



Speaking to the Hawick News before she departed, Joanne, who lives in Burnfoot Road, said: "This is a huge honour and as a district we are really pleased with the success of Guiding in our area. I am really excited now and a few nerves are kicking in. But I'm really looking forward to the experience as a whole and building on my friendship with everyone."

As part of the trip each girl had to raise the £650 cost and a minimum of £150 for activities. However, for dedicated young leader Joanne approached this challenge with gusto and embarked on a hectic fund-raising campaign – with the help of her family – which included raffles, cake sales, a quiz at Burnfoot Roadhouse and selling word searches. Joanne also wrote to local businesses and received donations and prizes from Evelyn In Solutions, Eden, thinkfitness, Touch Wood, Buccleuch Hotel, Pringle and painter and decorator Ian Young.

Praising Joanne's efforts, district commissioner Cheryl Storie commented: "Joanne is a bright and enthusiastic young leader and will do Hawick proud at the international camp in Iceland.

"Her dedication and organisation has paid off to raise the money needed to attend the camp. And I would like to wish her well and can't wait to hear all about her adventure on her return."

Joanne arrived at the Icelandic jamboree on Tuesday.