A BUDDING entrepreneur has been selling homemade dog treats to raise money for an educational trip to support a community in Africa.

Joshua Rudd, 12, is a pupil at Alec Hunter Academy and lives in Braintree with mum Caroline Hollier.

The school completes a world challenge each year, encouraging students to support others across the globe.

This year, Alec Hunter is giving youngsters the opportunity to visit Eswatini in southern Africa, to help local labourers with the development of buildings at a neighbourhood care point (NCP), as well as landscaping the grounds and creating vegetable gardens and chicken pens.

NCPs exist across Eswatini to provide food and support to children.

They are volunteer-run and exist to fill gaps in medical care, education and social support, which can be limited in rural parts of the country.

Joshua decided to start making and selling dog treats this summer to raise money for the trip.

He said: “The idea to make dog biscuits came about because my mum’s Labrador has an allergy to chicken, so we have to be careful with what she has.

“I thought why not make our own and then we could sell them as there are so many dogs in our community.

“I’m so excited about the trip to Africa. I can’t wait to go and see all the animals and help the community.”

Joshua offers a range of biscuits, including superfood, anxiety reducing, dental, low calorie and gummy treats, and also takes special requests. 

The biscuits are priced at £2 per bag.

So far, Joshua has raised more than £200, making mum Caroline very proud.

“I'm so proud of Joshua to come up with such a unique way to fund his trip of a lifetime,” she said.

“It's such a wonderful opportunity and without the fundraising and help from the community he would not be able to go.”

The trip to Eswatini is taking place in July 2026.

 Joshua and Caroline are hoping to attend different markets and events to raise money – including Gosfield market next month.

For more information, please contact cazzara@btinternet.com