A STUDENT is seeking sponsorship to enable her to carry out voluntary work in Africa.

Laura Barron, from Sedgefield village, needs money for immunisations and equipment including mosquito nets, sleeping bags, a medical kit, and water sterilisation equipment.

The 21-year-old, who recently graduated with a degree in politics and sociology from Northumbria University, is taking a year out to do voluntary work in Tanzania, that requires her to find £3,000 in sponsorship.

She will be leaving for Africa in January for the placement, organised by Students Partnership Worldwide, a youth focused charity with young volunteers from various countries joining forces.

Miss Barron said: "I wanted to take a year out after my studies and do something worthwhile and decided this was the way."

During her eight months visit she will be working on a health directed programme covering Aids awareness and stressing the need for hygiene.

She also will do some teaching of peer groups in a rural school and during her visit she will be living in the community.

Laura, a former pupil at Darlington's Carmel RC Technology College, has organised a fundraising race night on Friday, November 28, at Ceddesfeld Hall, Sedgefield, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on 07734 863506.

Anyone wanting to support Laura but who cannot attend on the night can still buy a horse for £3 and enter it into one of the races.

For more information about Students Partnership Worldwide visit the website at www.spw.org.