A BOLTON schoolgirl is busy raising money for a trip to Africa to help improve the lives of deprived children.

Acacia Aherne, aged 14, and a pupil at Sharples High School is joining 29 others for the trip in August through the Bolton-based charity Urban Shift. The organhisation enable people to broaden their horizons and learn new skills by helping those less fortunate.

Acacia needs to raise £1,100 for transport, accommodation, materials and equipment for the project at the Khaya Centre in South Africa. Here, they will be developing a playground for a community centre, running outreach days, helping in the classrooms and kitchen and playing with the children.

Acacia has already raised £500 from a variety of events including selling sweet cones and football cards, making cheesecake and completing a swimathon.

High Lawn Primary School is backing Acacia’s trip with an African Art competition and the Astley Bridge Area Forum is helping. Local councillors have also organised a local litter-picking event on June 3 to support Acacia.

There is also a charity fundraising event at Jump Extreme at Trinity Retail Park on June 7 and a crowdfunding page has been set up for her at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicola-aherne

Stated Acacia; “Each year, Urban Shift go to Africa to help a community and I heard lots of stories about how amazing it is. I am really looking forward to the chance to make a difference to others and to learn new skills along the way.”