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Student in bid to help young HIV sufferers

Jonathon Dillon
17/ 2/2003

SHE'S got her passport at the ready but intrepid Stephanie Clarkson is not off on holiday ... she's about to go on work experience!

Unlike her schoolfriends who will work in shops and offices, she is going to spend two weeks in South Africa helping care for children with HIV and AIDS.

The only drawback is she is facing a race against the clock to raise funds for her trip in March. So far she has managed to raise £400 by carrying out a sponsored fast in December when she didn't eat for 30 hours. But her flight and insurance will cost £650 and she needs money for the duration of her trip too.

Her destination is the St Nicholas Children's Hospice and Naledi Hospice in Bloemfontein.

Stephanie, 14, a Year 10 pupil at St Wilfred's High School, Blackburn, would also like firms to show their generosity by donating equipment for a sensory room at the hospice, which looks after around 30 children.

She said: "The hospice is un need of sensory equipment as it helps the children to relax. Most of the kids are orphans and are dying so it would be a big help. I could take some things with me and if there are big items the hospice can have them shipped over."

Stephanie, who lives in Petre Crescent, Rishton, with her parents Ian and Patricia, sister Laura and brother Adam, can't contain her excitement about the trip.

She continued: "I've always wanted to go to South Africa to see what's its like, and I would like to work with young people in the future."

She has received help organising the trip from her local church, St Peter and St Paul's in Rishton which has links with the hospice. Her mum raised money for Derian House last year when she did a sponsored swim with sharks.

Stephanie added: "Most of my friends are doing their work experience in shops or offices but I'm flying across the world. My parents can't believe it. They're really shocked as I've only been abroad once before."

If you can help Stephanie before the end of February, her parents can be contacted on 889152.