A STUDENT from Helsby is looking for the backing of local companies and fundraisers, after pledging to help with charity work in Zambia this summer.

Melanie Cowap, 21, a law student at Manchester University, is aiming to raise enough money for the charity Hope For Children to send herself and two other students to Zambia to help with some vital community project work.

The trip is being organised by university charity Manchester RAG, who won over the students with a display about the suffering and hardship experienced by people in Zambia, one of the world's poorest countries.

There is widespread famine in both rural and urban areas and the country has been left extremely vulnerable to recurring natural disasters. HIV and AIDS is also a huge problem in the region.

The students hope to travel to Zambia in June and will support the country by helping to build houses and buildings in the community and work with children in schools.

Melanie said: 'This will be a fantastic opportunity to see for myself how people in poverty stricken countries live and to do something positive to help.

'However, the trip requires an amount of £2,000 to be fundraised in order to finance it.'

If you would like to support Melanie and the Hope for Children Charity, please contact her on 07841 861850 or e-mail MLCOWAP@yahoo.co.uk.