A SEDBERGH teenager is leaving the Howgills behind to take part in a conservation project in South Africa.

Holly Higginbotham, 18, is frantically fund-raising for her three-month placement on a game reserve in the Limpopo province.

The former Settlebeck High School student has taken up a placement with Teaching and Projects Abroad - an organisation which arranges overseas volunteering placements.

Miss Higginbotham, who plans to study animal science at Newton Rigg College later this year, is eager to leave for warmer climes.

"Going out to Africa is going to be a dream come true. I have had a fascination with the country and its wildlife as long as I can remember. I can't believe that I'm going it is going to be amazing," she enthused.

Game counts, animal monitoring, bush-clearing and game capture will be part of everyday life on the reserve where Miss Higginbotham hopes to catch sight of the "big five" lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos.

The keen conservationist said she hoped the trip would stand her in good stead for a career in wildlife research.

"I wanted to do volunteer work and I thought this placement would look good on my CV and provide me with an opportunity to make a difference." she added.

But the motivated teenager, whose fund-raising plans include a sponsored litter-pick at Settlebeck Bridge, still needs to raise another £1,000 for her trip of a lifetime.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the wildlife enthusiast can contact her on 015396-21073.

May 1, 2003 11:00