It is a mission with a difference that a Lowestoft woman has chosen to accept.

Next week, Rebecca Saunders will be part of a group of between 30 and 40 volunteer staff and students from the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), who will be heading out to Croatia to help people who have been devastated by war.

Mission Croatia has been running for the past 16 years, with staff and students from the university heading out annually to help victims of the Balkan conflict.

And on Monday, June 2, Rebecca will be part of the final trip to Croatia to help repair and refurbish children's care centres and hospitals for youngsters and adults with learning difficulties.

The 22-year-old former Dell Primary, Elm Tree Middle and Kirkley High School pupil has just finished the final year of a three-year BA Hons degree in Early Childhood Studies at ARU in Chelmsford, and she is looking forward to her voluntary challenges ahead.

She said: 'It all seemed like a brilliant opportunity when we were told about it by The Rev Tony Cant, who runs the mission.

'I am a bit nervous, but excited. It is going to be hard work, it won't be a holiday and I am really looking forward to it as it will be a life-changing experience,' she said.

Over the past 16 years, successive groups of students from across the University's faculties have cleaned, plastered, rubbed down, dug, painted, cleared, and decorated the hospitals.

Rebecca said: 'Now in its 17th successful year, this will be the last year that Mission Croatia runs because of all the great work they have been doing.'

If anyone would like to pledge funds, you can online via www.gofundme.com/6zj83k