International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in our community and to recognise the importance of supporting them in their ambitions. Wem Rural Parish Council is committed to empowering women of all ages by encouraging opportunities for personal growth, education, and community involvement.
As part of our celebration, we are shining a light on young women making a difference. One such inspiring individual is Deryn Martin, a 15-year-old Year 10 student at Thomas Adams School in Wem, who is working hard to achieve her goal of participating in a life-changing expedition to Kenya in the summer of 2026.
Meet Deryn Martin
Deryn is a dedicated student with a passion for sports and community service. She is captain of the Prees Lightning U15s Girls Football Team, a reserve for the U16 Shropshire Schools Team, and also plays for the Wem Women and U16 Girls Cricket Teams in both soft and hard ball. Her talent and commitment have also earned her a place in the Shropshire U15s County Cricket Team. Alongside her sporting achievements, she has already completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and is currently working towards her Silver.
In 2026, Deryn will embark on a four-week expedition with Camps International, where she will volunteer on community and conservation projects, undertake a safari, and complete a mountain trek. Inspired by her aunty’s international volunteering experiences—including tracking wild dogs in South Africa and planting trees in Borneo—Deryn is eager to make a meaningful impact in Kenya.
Fundraising for the Expedition
To make this dream a reality, Deryn has been actively fundraising through various initiatives, including:
- Selling handmade crafts at local fairs and events
- Running a child’s lucky dip and teddy tombola
- Completing a cycle challenge of 600km (the distance of the Kenyan coastline) in just two months
- Hosting a quiz night on March 7th
- Walking a neighbour’s dog three times a week
- Gaining sponsorship from local businesses, displaying their logos on her fundraising t-shirt
She is also planning future events such as a bingo night and an afternoon tea to continue raising funds.
How You Can Support
If you would like to support Deryn’s journey, you can follow her progress and donate via her GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/97eb5691.
Deryn’s dedication and enthusiasm reflect the spirit of International Women’s Day—celebrating the achievements of young women and encouraging them to reach their full potential. Wem Rural Parish Council is proud to support and highlight the efforts of local girls like Deryn, who are making a difference in their community and beyond.
Let’s continue to empower and support the women and girls of Wem Rural to achieve their dreams!
