A Southend woman is racing against time in a bid to raise enough money to volunteer abroad.

Megan Wheal, 19, of Locksley Close, Southend, was offered a placement with Y Care International to do volunteering work abroad.

The work will be education-based and predominantly involve interacting with children, teaching them business and enterprise skills, healthcare and life skills.

She is going to Sierra Leone for up to 12 weeks.

Megan is due to start her humanitarian journey in January and is looking forward to taking part in the programme.

However, in order for her to go she must raise £800.

Megan organised a boot sale with Lazy Bones boot sales who kindly offered her the pitch for free, as well as Mencap fancy dress shop in Southend who donated free costumes.

So far she has raised over £280.

Miss Wheal will be doing a skydive on December 9 with a friend who’s volunteered to do it with her.

She is hoping this will help her reach the target.

To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/megan-wheal