The 21-year-old student teacher will be joining a worldwide jamboree being organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the organisation’s foundation there.

She’ll be representing the UK at the jamboree along with another Lurgan Guider, Shirley McKnight and Clare Major from Lisburn, they’ll be in charge of 10 Girl Guides from across the province joining the celebration.

Laura, a leader (Guider) with 1st Lurgan Guide Company at Queen Street Methodist Church, was selected to join the trip after taking a day’s testing.

She said: “it was exciting when I found out I was going but I had a bit of a problem. One of my exams was due to take place after Christmas, coinciding with the trip. Fortunately they’re letting me take my exam early.”

Laura is in her final year at Stranmillis where she is studying Primary Teaching with Music.

From Gilford Road in the town, Laura is the daughter of Donna and Errol Kennedy.

She has been involved in the guiding movement almost all her life, having come up from the Brownies to the Guides as a member then a Young Leader and now the more senior role of Guider.

A series of events have been organised to raise funds for the trip including a fashion show at Queen Street Methodist Church Halls on Monday night.

Models from 1st Lurgan Guides will display clothes supplied by Oxfam and it’s sure to be a great night. Admission is £1 and includes tea and a tray bake. The show starts at 7.30pm.

Next month the Jethro Centre will play host to a variety concert - Guides to Go - on Wednesday, November 14 at 7.30pm, See upcoming issues of the ‘MAIL’ for more details.

Of her time with the Guides, Laura said: “It’s given plenty of enjoyment and it’s good to meet other people with similar interests. It has provided lot of opportunities.”

Laura thanked her family and friends for their support for the New Zealand trip. She also thanked Metal Technology, Friends of Guiding, Inner Wheel, Alderman Samuel Gardiner, Alderman Stephen Moutray and David Simpson for their generaous donations and for all those who had supported or donated in any way.