A STUDENT from Bungay who has turned her life around is getting ready to embark on a trip to Africa to work as a volunteer.

Ashleigh Pinnington, 18, of Warwick Avenue, Halesworth, is in her last year of studying at Bungay High School Sixth Form for her A Levels and decided to take a gap year after over-coming difficulties at school.

'In high school I had a difficult time and was almost expelled on many occasions, however in the last few weeks of Year 11 I turned myself around and got the GCSE results I needed to get into sixth form,' she explained.

'From then on I have worked to get the results I have and hope that I will carry on doing so.'

Miss Pinnington is currently studying human biology, chemistry and psychology and hopes to go to Sheffield Hallam University to study criminology and psychology.

She will be spending a gap year in Malawi from August and will be working at Yamikani Orphanage with registered charity Project Trust.

She said: 'I wanted to do a gap year to gain experience of a new culture and to do a gap year which I will enjoy and benefit from as well as helping and benefiting others is perfect. I really hope the community I will be living with will be as interested in me and learn about me as much as I hope to do about them.'

Yamikani Oprhange was opened in 1994 and is situated close to Blantyre in the south of Malawi and looks after approximately 30 children ranging from pre school to high school age. There is also nursery school site.

'As a volunteer, I will be in charge of teaching a number of lessons, most likely teaching English as a foreign language,' she explained.

'I will also have the opportunity to teach extra curricular activities and something I am keen to teach whilst there is football, as I have played since around the age of seven.'

Miss Pinnington needs to raise a total of �4950 and has already had raffle and auction prizes donated to her from football teams including Norwich City Football Club, Ipswich Town FC and Blackburn Rovers.

She will also be doing a fundraising car wash and 160ft bungee jump all to raise money for the cause.

She added: 'My family are very supportive and encourage me to go and get the experience.'

• If you would donate contact Miss Pinnington on ashleighmichele@hotmail.co.uk