I’m Matthew, a 16 year old guy living in Northern Ireland but my dream is to travel and find new exciting places all across the world.

The only thing standing between me and this dream is education as I’m currently sitting my GCSE’s at Friends’ School Lisburn only to hopefully stay on for A levels and then to consequently go on to Uni in London to study Zoology, so this dream doesn’t seem likely to unfold any time soon anyway.
I have a natural love for animals, especially reptiles! I am the proud owner of a bearded dragon appropriately named Steve Irwin, Steve Irwin (the conservationist, not my pet) has served as a constant inspiration and motivation since childhood. I can vividly remember feeling that sense of excitement when hearing the ‘crocodile hunter’ theme in the early days of my childhood.
Recently i have discovered a joy in photography and videography. This mixed with my love for reptiles has given me the motivation to follow this newfound dream of becoming a wildlife cameraman. This would mean departing from the nearest airport, travelling the world and photographing amazing animals would be the equivalent of an ordinary working day. This prospect fills me with excitement and more importantly, motivation. I am looking to buy my first DSLR after many many months of practice with my step-dads old 35mm film camera.
I know what you’re thinking, “how are you going to fund these antics of yours?” my mum asked the same question! Well in the March of 2015 I secured a part-time job at the local supermarket. I’m currently the youngest employed of the total 80 workers. I’m still trying to figure out if thats an accomplishment or if it’s an underlying message that I’m too young for the working world, I’ll take the fifty quid a week either way!

I also volunteer in a coffee shop on a Thursday as part of my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. This means I must also partake in an expedition in August and a ‘physical’ (sport), I have since taken up running and am planning to run the Dublin marathon in October. I have also abseiled down the Dromore Viaduct for Fields of Life and raised money at a quiz night for Hopeful Hearts Charitable Trust.
Other ‘interesting’ things about me may be that I can play the drums and that I used to play field hockey on the school team.
I don’t have a clue if my dreams will become a reality and I cant wait to find out. There are a few though that may see them as unrealistic but theres a quote I like to live by and that is that “if there isn’t anyone laughing at your dreams then they probably aren’t big enough”.