A MALVERN student walked 140 miles from London to the Midlands to support a project that tackles poverty in Kenya where she will be volunteering for three months.

Annabel Wills, aged 18, will travel to Kenya in September with the international development organisation Balloon Ventures, as part of the UK Government funded International Citizen Service programme.

She will work in partnership with Kenyan volunteers to help lift some of the world’s poorest communities out of poverty.

Before she leaves for Kenya she must raise £1,500 for Balloon Ventures. She has already completed the walk along the Grand Union canal, from Paddington to Solihull, and is looking for further sponsorship.

She said: “The money raised from my fundraising will help to make sure that the communities in developing countries continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers, so it’s vital I reach my target.

"I have put a lot of effort into the planning and execution of my fundraising walk and am hoping I can reach my fundraising target as a result of this.”

“The project I’m working on aims to defeat poverty through enterprise. Balloon Ventures supports local entrepreneurs to help them start up their business’s creating sustainable economic growth in the local area. I’ll be working closely alongside Kenyan volunteers, so it’s a great opportunity to experience another culture and make a difference at the same time. I’m really excited to get out there and start making a real difference to the lives of people in the developing world.”

To sponsor Annabel, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/annabel-wills or text VFOQ64 To 70070.