POTENTIALLY life-saving projects in Africa will benefit from the determination of a Richmond woman.

Melony Gibb, 21, has signed up to complete a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in February.

She has to raise £2,800 to take part in the ten-day expedition, which will benefit Voluntary Service Overseas.

The cash will go towards promoting sustainable use of natural resources in Tanzania, health and education work and HIV and Aids awareness.

Miss Gibb, who has just gained a history degree from Hull University and plans to join the RAF, leaves her Reeth Road home on February 20. She will join a group of about 25 trekkers, who will walk an average of six hours a day.

"I am a fairly keen walker but have never done a mountain this large before," she said. "When I finished university I wanted to do something out of the country and that would help a worthy cause."

Miss Gibb, a former Richmond School student who works at the town's Ralph Fitz Randal pub, hopes her employers will stump up some sponsorship. She has also organised a concert night and plans other events for the new year.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Miss Gibb can contact her on 01748 822115