A DREAM trip to South West Africa will soon be reality for Rossendale student Matthew Hall who has managed to raise the £3,000 he needs for his expedition.

Matthew, 19, of Cedar Avenue, Haslingden, will join the Raleigh International youth scheme in Namibia, in the summer, to help combat poaching in the national parks.

It is something he has always wanted to do and which will provide him with essential experience before starting a course in biological science at Edinburgh University, in September. He hopes to eventually work abroad in a national park.

Matthew has spent the last six months working for Airtours but he is now using his time to train for the trip by going running, cycling and swimming.

Several fund-raising events, including three raffles at the Griffin Pub, Haslingden, quizzes and car boot sales, helped raise the sponsorship money but the biggest donation came from Kingfisher Partnership chartered accountants, where Matthew's mum Sheila works. Sheila's colleagues made donations which were matched by Kingfisher and their clients also helped out raising a total of £1,089.

Matthew said: "It feels a lot different now I know I'm actually going - more real. It's exciting because I can start getting all my equipment now and we've got a briefing soon to say exactly what we'll be doing.

"I've been doing a little bit of training. You don't have to be too fit but we are going to be doing a lot of trekking and it's important to be able to handle it.

"My mum's relieved I've got the money and I think she's looking forward to getting rid of me!"

Matthew will leave for Namibia on June 29 and will spend 10 weeks involved in community and education projects, as well as working on environmental schemes.

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