Emily Nolan from Launceston will be jetting off this week to Ghana, after months of fundraising to get herself on her African adventure.

A total of 18 students from various areas will be going on the trip, run by African Adventures, who are a volunteer travel company that organises life-changing experiences for people from across the UK.

They run trips for people of all ages to volunteer at one of the 25 community projects, supporting in developing areas of Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar.

Emily will be going along with some friends from the local area too, Emily Cowling and Caitlyn Murray.

In total, they have all had to raise £1,750 to get themselves to Ghana.

Seventeen-year-old Emily started fundraising back in September to get her on track for her March deadline.

She ran a joint bingo event with Emily Cowling, which according to her, raised a ‘great amount’.

Through a variety of fundraising events she has managed to reach the total needed, most recently her stools event held at the White Hart in Launceston and by dressing up outside Tesco asking for donations.

This will be the first time Emily will have endured a long haul flight, and the first time she will have travelled abroad without her family.

Emily said: “I’m quite nervous but also excited for my trip. I want to experience everything there and what it has to offer.”

She explained that they will be out there for 10 days, going to a monkey sanctuary, visiting local schools, going on hikes and have the option of going to a church service.

Emily said: “Mum’s been quite anxious, especially when it comes to packing all the things I might need.

“She has been really supportive though which has been great. I’d like to thank my family, mum nan and my friends for all their help during my fundraising events.”

The group will be setting off on Friday.