A student is due to run a half marathon to support a project which tackles poverty.

Hannah Suckling, a second year English Literature student at UEA, is running the Silverstone Half Marathon ahead of volunteering in Togo for 10 weeks.

Miss Suckling, 19, will travel to Togo in June with international development organisation Y Care International as part of the UK-Government funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme.

She will work in partnership with Togolese volunteers to help lift some of the world's poorest communities out of poverty.

Before she leaves for Togo, she must raise £800 for Y Care International. As part of her fundraising, she will be running 13.1 miles in March around the world-renowned Silverstone motor racing circuit.

Miss Suckling said: 'The money raised from my fundraising will help to make sure that the communities in developing countries continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers, so it's vital I reach my target.

'I've been training hard since the start of January since it's the first time I've run anything like this before and I'm hoping everyone will give generously as a result of my effort.

'The project I'm working on aims to support young people around education and civic participation. I'll be working closely alongside Togolese volunteers, so it's a great opportunity to experience another culture and make a difference at the same time. I'm really excited to get out there and start making a real difference to the lives of people in the developing world.'

ICS allows young people aged 18-25 to make a valuable contribution to sustainable development projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

On return to the UK, ICS volunteers undertake an 'Action at Home' project, ensuring that their new skills also benefit their local communities.

More than 10,000 young people from the UK have taken part in the scheme in the last three years.

To sponsor Miss Suckling visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hannah-Suckling or text HANH75 followed by either £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10 to 70070.

To find out more about ICS or to apply, visit www.volunteerics.org.