A DETERMINED mother is seeking sponsorship to fulfil a life-long ambition to help orphaned children living in the developing world. Kim Wagland, 41, who works as a dispenser at Parkhall Surgery in Somersham is hoping to raise £1,500 to go on a three-week

A DETERMINED mother is seeking sponsorship to fulfil a life-long ambition to help orphaned children living in the developing world.

Kim Wagland, 41, who works as a dispenser at Parkhall Surgery in Somersham is hoping to raise £1,500 to go on a three-week missionary project to South Africa.

The trip has been organised by the charities Soapbox and TLC to rescue babies who have been abandoned by their parents as a result of HIV/AIDs or poverty.

"It is something I have always wanted to do but I was never sure how to go about doing it," said Ms Wagland.

"I hope to help people who are desperately in need. I imagine it will be a very humbling experience and very emotional."

Ms Wagland will be join 12 other volunteers who fly to the small African village of Eikenhofm, 10kms south of Johannesburg, on September 6.

The mother of three said: "We will be feeding, changing and just generally helping to look after the children. There will also be some maintenance work to do at the orphanage."

She added: "I would say it is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity but I'm sure as soon as I get back I will want to do it again. It's going to be amazing."

To kick-start her fund-raising efforts she has organised a quiz to take place on March 14 and a concert on June 21 at the Victory Hall in Somersham at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5.

INFORMATION: To sponsor Kim or to attend one of her fundraising events, call 01487 741216 or 07866 817133. To find out more, visit www.soapboxtrust.com or www.tlc.org.za