A FUNDRAISER from Preston is joining a mercy mission to Africa to help treat AIDS victims.

Margaret Fazackerly, from Fulwood, is part of a team of local nurses working as volunteers for the Genesis charity.

Genesis organises regular trips to Third World countries to help rescue children from lives of poverty and prostitution.

Two years ago Margaret, 52, visited Romania with Genesis, and her husband and daughter have been involved with the charity too.

But Margaret, who works as a part-time nurse at St Catherine's Hospice, is apprehensive about her trip to Zambia. She said: "I'm excited but apprehensive as well. I can't stand the heat and dirt, but it's right for me to go."

Once over there, Margaret, from Queen's Drive in Fulwood, will be touring the area on the charity's first trip to Zambia, to find out exactly what help can be given. The group are desperate to raise enough money to buy maize, to help feed everyone they can.

She said: "It's the first time we have been out to Zambia so we are really going to check out the situation and find out what the needs are before anything gets organised.

"We are going to find out where to start."

Genesis relies on donations for its work to continue, and UK director Carol Halton, from Chorley, is urging generous fundraisers to come forward to help.

She said: "There is a desperate situation in Zambia. We want to raise as much money as we can in three weeks. A little bit of money goes so far in these countries."

To help call Carol on 01257 266155.