A STUDENT is aiming to raise money in order to spend four months teaching young Africans about the dangers of AIDS.

Sarah Roscoe, of Hazel Avenue, Bamber Bridge, who is currently on a gap year after getting three A-levels at Runshaw College, Leyland, plans to jet off to Lesotho, Southern Africa, in March, to help educate locals about the killer disease.

The 19 year old has been a regular churchgoer all her life and is embarking on the trip with the Christian organisation Tearfund, a charity that helps people in developing countries, in partnership with Scripture Union.

But she needs to raise £2,700 to cover the cost of her trip and insurance.

To rake in money for her journey Sarah is currently working at a nursing home and is also planning a sponsored cycle ride and sleep out with members of her church, Bamber Bridge Methodist, Station Road.

"Lesotho is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world," Sarah said.

"Twenty four per cent of people die from AIDS there too. I'm going to be working in schools and going out to educate people about it. We teach using bible stories and relating them to things in everyday life.

"The people are very friendly but there isn't a lot of education. Some believe that if they don't have sex before they're 20 then they'll die. This is obviously a big part of the problem."

Sarah, who attended St Michael's High School, Chorley, plans to study psychology at Newcastle University in September this year and hopes to be a teacher when she graduates. "I hope to come back with a greater knowledge of what's going on in the Third World," she said. "I might also learn things that will help me on my course when I start."

Daniel Carruthers, from Tearfund, said: "Sarah will be part of a team of six working with young people.

"Their work is crucially important because they give the help that is needed to areas that find it hard to help themselves."

If you'd like to sponsor Sarah then you can either contact email her at sezroscoe@blueyonder.co.uk or via the church on 337097.