A SPECIAL aqua session with an African theme will be held at Meadowlands Leisure Pool in Tavistock on May 23 to help a local student's fundraising campaign.

Mia Thomas, 18, from Tavistock, is raising funds to help her travel to Malawi and work for an orphanage there with Project Trust. 

The special benefit session will run from noon to 1pm and will have guest African dancer Maggi Squire on hand throughout to get participants in the mood. 

Project Trust is a charity that helps young people to go abroad to experience and contribute to a new culture by immersing themselves in it completely. With projects in more than 20 countries, the charity helps youngsters contribute to teaching or social work which is beneficial to the community they are in. 

Mia is currently studying A-levels at Tavistock College and has been offered a place to study medicine at Bristol upon her return from Malawi.

She said: 'Education is vital in Malawi to counteract the terrible poverty there.

'Getting involved with Project Trust will enable me to help people in a way I have always wanted to.

'It will also give me vital experience and insight into what working in difficult conditions is like, which I hope will help me with my ambition to work for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and ultimately I hope it will help me become a better doctor.'

Dave Smith, business manager at Meadowlands said: 'It's fantastic to see a member of our local community with such drive and enthusiasm for their future career. Mia has been tirelessly fundraising for Project Trust to allow her out to Malawi.

'Here at Meadowlands, we're honoured to be hosting the benefit event and hope our users will be able to attend to show their support.'

For more information on this event call 01822 617774.