STUDENT Beth Hamer from Chagford is on a mission to Malawi in June to help build much-needed maternity hospitals but first she has to raise the cash to get there.
Beth is taking part in the three-week Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition with 19 other students from Exeter College.
As well as the £800 each needed to fund the trip, the group is hoping to raise £10,000 towards buying the building materials and some of the equipment.
Beth said that 16 per cent of all women die in childbirth because they do not have the medical facilities to save them.
The students will be working in five villages with local people to establish these maternity hospitals.
Beth, who went on a British Schools Expedition Society science-based trip to South Africa two years ago, said her experience would undoubtably help her in Malawi.
'I found the way of life completely amazing,' she said. 'They aim to live like the Western society but they are not caught up in a consumer society. They live life by surviving.'
'I am looking forward to helping people and instead of just taking, giving something back to the community as well.'
A parachute jump, sponsored abseil down a tower block building at Exeter College, car boot sales, jumble sales and prize draws are being arranged to help raise cash and local businesses are being asked for donations.
Anyone who can help the students in any way can call Beth on 01647 432005.