A SWINDON man will travel thousands of miles across the world to help lift some of the poorest communities out of poverty.

Jason Taylor, 29, is raising money before making the journey to Ghana next year to complete three months of voluntary work as part of a humanitarian scheme involving hundreds of participants aged 18 to 35.

The project, run by development organisation International Service, is part of the UK Government-funded International Citizen Service programme which aims to tackle poverty in deprived countries and give young volunteers key life skills.

More than 13,000 young people from the UK have taken part in the scheme since 2011, contributing to sustainable development projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Jason will be working alongside Ghanaian volunteers while living with a host family to immerse himself in the country’s culture.

He needs to raise £800 for International Service to secure his place on the project and ensure communities in developing countries continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers.

“I am really looking forward to going to Ghana and getting stuck into my project,” he said.

“I’ve never volunteered overseas before, so this will be a completely new experience for me. I’m really excited to be involved.”

Jason is doing everything he possibly can to reach his £800 target, organising local fun days, Come Dine with Me-style evenings, quiz nights, raffles and bake sales.

He is even willing to wax his legs to raise the funds.

Jason’s friend told him about the ICO programme, and he has already started planning what he’ll take with him in his two huge suitcases.

“I’m definitely going to pack some pencils and notebooks to hand out at the local schools,” he said.

A self-confessed food fan, Jason says he’ll miss the luxury dishes he can buy in the UK, but is ready to take the plunge into a completely new world.

“I wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone,” he said. “It’s an attitude I’ve always had from a young age.

For the last 30 years “I have wanted to make a difference to the world, instead of just partying and stuff like that, and help people as best I can.

“You take for granted simple things like having a shower or waking up in a warm bed.

Jason’s dad and step-mum, who live in Haydon Wick, have been very supportive of their son, who will Jason will be team leader for up to seven other volunteers aged between 18 and 25 during the trip.

He will find out later this month where in Ghana he will be going.

Volunteers complete an ‘Action at Home’ project after returning to the UK to apply the skills they have learned to benefit their own communities.

Felicity Morgan, the director of ICS at VSO, said: “Jason will be joining thousands of other ICS volunteers who are doing amazing work around the world every day.

“We’re proud UK aid is supporting young Brits to bring about positive change in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Jason’s JustGiving page has raised £190 in donations.

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jason-taylor29africa or text 07740 282752.