A teenager from Lowestoft is hoping to embark on an overseas volunteer placement for a cause close to her heart.

19-year-old Lucy Brooks aims to complete a volunteering placement in Ghana for 12 weeks, with International Service, working with a group of people to fight for the rights of those with disabilities- a cause close to her heart.

'We believe that people living with disabilities should live in dignity and with equal rights and opportunities as a full member of society.

'I feel strongly about helping people with disabilities as my uncle is disabled and requires a lot of help and care.

'His disability does not stop him from doing things that he likes to do such as going to Centre 81 where he participates in various activities and Waveney Sailability which is based in Oulton broad where he goes out for the day on a boat,' she explained.

Miss Brooks added: 'Seeing how happy my uncle is doing all these activities with his disability makes me sad that people with disabilities in other countries can't do half of what he does and are denied equal rights as a member of society.

'This is why I have volunteered to go to Ghana, to help make a difference and to work towards making peoples lives better so that other people with disabilities can have full enjoyment out of their life like my uncle does.'

The volunteering programme will commence in April and will see Miss Brooks and her fellow volunteers working to improve access to education, health and economic opportunities.

International Service is a charity which is part of the government funded International Citizen Service (ICS).

ICS brings together young people from different countries to fight poverty – with volunteers from the UK working alongside overseas volunteers.

All travel and equipment costs will be covered by the charity, however, in order to secure her placement Miss Brooks is required to raise a minimum of £800.

To donate towards Miss Brook's placement visit: www.justgiving.com/Lucybrooks123 or for further inquiries email: lulu230697@hotmail.co.uk.

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