Tom plans his African adventure

Tom Kennard, 17, from Denton Rise, was chosen from more than 400 young people around the UK to go to Lesotho in July next year with the British Schools Exploring Society.

While there Tom, who is studying History, Geology and Classical Civilisation at Sussex Downs College, Lewes, will work on projects at the University of Lesotho, including conservation, forestry, ornithology, botany and palaeontology.

However, he must raise the money to fund the trip himself. Tom said: 'As part of the challenge of the expedition I have to raise 3,000 as a contribution to the overall cost.

'This trip has been a lifelong ambition for me and I am determined and very enthusiastic to make the most of this amazing opportunity, to try to do something, however small, to make the world a better place.'

Readers who would like to help Tom can write to him at 23 Denton Rise, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 0QN.