A THORNBURY student is seeking the help of the public to raise money for her forthcoming trip to Africa.

Molly Kilbey, 20, will combine two of her greatest loves in life – children and gorillas – when she ventures to the town of Jinja in Uganda for a three-week trip from July 10-30.

She will track a family of endangered gorillas while trekking through the Rwemzori mountains, and the last 10 days of the visit will be spent in Jinja building a playground for school children. The project is in aid of a small charity called East African Playgrounds.

Molly heard about the charity through the Raise and Give (RAG) society at the University of Bristol.

The first year childhood studies student said: “The children in Jinja need a new playground. Play is necessary for learning. When children have the chance to play during break times and then return to the classroom they are able to concentrate better. I have wanted to do something with gorillas forever so this was a perfect way for me to combine my interests.”

Molly now needs to raise at least £2,750 to fund her trip, a very daunting prospect at the moment.

She said: “I’ve never been so scared in my life. I signed up for the trip in November but I have not done a lot of fundraising so far because I had exams. Now the exams are over I plan to fundraise all this year.”

Molly has lots of events lined up and is beginning her fundraising drive in her home town. On February 8 she is organising a pub quiz at The White Horse in Buckover, Thornbury. It starts at 9pm and a team of up to six people costs £5.

She also plans to raise money by dressing up in a gorilla onesie and cycling and Irish dancing with her university friends up and down Park Street in Bristol.

Molly would appreciate any sponsorship or donation from local businesses or donation she can give as prizes at her fundraising events. Anyone wishing to donate can contact Molly at mllyklby@hotmail.co.uk