However, one group of guides from Whitwood showed how the organisation – which is celebrating its centenary – can change lives across the world.

Ten teenagers and five leaders from the Whitwood Division Guide Association collected £33,000 in a series of fundraising events to travel to the Ghanaian village of Atorkor.

The group ran a 17-day summer club for children in the fishing village – teaching youngsters basic English, computing, music, sports and arts and crafts – as well as learning new skills, including the native language Ewe.

Louise Bloomer, 41, division commissioner, said: "Our timetable was heavy and very hard work, but watching the children's faces each morning when they turned up at school was amazing.

"The school has a new computer room, store and library, but is desperate for more classrooms.

"Many of the classes have between 80 and 100 pupils eager to learn and in the younger classes children are sharing chalk and boards to write on.

"We had shipped out lots of education resources such as library books, paper, exercise books, pens and pencils, craft items and sports equipment.

"As a group we sponsored six children to attend the school and many of the group sponsored individual orphans or needy children, so they too could attend and educate themselves.

"During our stay we also visited the medical centre with resources we had shipped over before we arrived – taking them baby clothes, toys, basic medication, bandages, plasters, water carriers, soap and sanitary products.

"We helped weigh the children at a mother and baby clinic and listened while nurses explained the importance of hygiene to the mums."

During her time at the medical centre, Louise befriended a three-year-old boy who was suffering from malaria.

The leader bought his grandmother the vaccines he needed as well as painkillers and vitamins.

Louise said: "Seven bottles of medication came to about £4.50. It cost so little to us, yet his grandmother was feeding herself and three grandchildren on less than 50p a day, so could never have afforded the medication to save his life.

"There was a very emotional end to our visit when we offered to buy each mother a bottle of liquid paracetamol for their child.

"One hundred bottles cost us less than £50 and would make such a difference to the children after they had their      vaccinations."

On the evening before the group left, villagers held a special ceremony where its children danced, sang and played the drums.

All the girl guides were given a handmade necklace to thank them for their hard work.

Louise said: "It was a very emotional evening.