AN American woman sets off on a round-the-world mission to help survivors of landmines today - thanks to the expertise of a Hartlebury firm.

Bosnia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Jordan and El Salvador are all on the agenda for mother and double amputee Kelley Shinn, who will travel the globe in a Land Rover specially adapted by APB Trading, based on the Hartlebury Trading Estate. Kelley Shinn with APB managing director Phillip Bond and the Land Rover Defender 110 which the firm has customised ahead of her round-the-world mission.

She has worked closely with the firm to make sure the vehicle meets her needs ahead of the 18-month Expedition Athena, which aims to raise awareness of the plight of landmine victims.

Kelley hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but has been based in Rutland during a year-long period of intensive training for the adventure on this side of the Atlantic.

She sets off today with daughter Cecilia on a journey which will take in 31 countries and see her return to the US in 18 months time.

Although she lost her lower legs through sepsis and toxic shock as a 16-year-old, Kelley feels a "kinship" to landmine survivors as an amputee and has linked up with the Washington DC-based Landmine Survivors Network.

She will visit network centres in mine-blighted Bosnia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, El Salvador and Jordan en-route.

On her website - www.xathena.co.uk - Kelley describes her mission as "a non-profit transworld motor journey encouraging others to help improve the quality of life for the survivors of landmines".

And after buying a three-year-old Land Rover - one of only three of its kind made - from a Shropshire-based collector she turned to APB, which has been established for more than 30 years, to provide the know-how to make her dream a reality.

Managing director Phillip Bond said: "We have fitted security locks, a safe in the back where she can keep her valuables, a bunk bed, a fridge/freezer and armoured front windows.

"We've been in touch with her for months. Kelley has been on the phone once or twice a day for the last few weeks adding to the list."

APB is an independent Land Rover specialist and frequently customises vehicles for people planning overseas adventures.

Kelley's dream began in the summer of 2000 when she completed a three-month coast-to-coast off-road and backpacking trek across the US.

She subsequently sold all the belongings she could not fit into a Land Rover and headed for England, where she has developed her route, undertaken cultural studies and learnt about her vehicle of choice.

Kelley will create Expedition Athena mosaics with survivors in each location.

The journey will take in Hiroshima's Peace Park, one of the inspirations for the expedition.

She explains on her website: "Somehow, a rule was written that we are separate nations, separate races, and separate peoples.

"But under this sun, on this Earth, I believe there are simply humans, and many who forgot how to look after and support one another. I desire to do more than raise awareness of landmines and the survivors of these indiscriminate weapons.

"I desire to live my life as an example of unity and compassion."

More information is available on Kelley's website and www.landminesurvivors.org.