A SALTCOATS university student will swap the study books for walking boots - as she gets ready to tackle Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

21-year-old Ellis Kennedy is heading over to take on the challenge on August 17 along with 20 others from Stirling University.

A fundraising target of £2,985 has been set and Ellis has been hosting events to try and reach the goal for Childreach International.

Last year, she held a ‘Teddy Bear Tombola’ at Ardrossan Academy’s Christmas Fete which raised £122.50 and there will be a quiz night on June 17 at the Ardrossan Accies Rugby Club with the hope of further money being raised.

Ellis told the Herald: “I wanted to do something adventurous this summer and something that was different from what people my age normal do i.e. Camp America. I saw the challenge advertised at university and as a geography student the idea of flying across the world, seeing new things and the geographical beauty of a new country as well as raising money for charity really called out to me. I knew Childreach International was a children’s rights charity and that also motivated me to sign up - wanting to help children in poverty.

“I know that it’s going to be physically and mentally tough and have been training up at the university gym a few times a week.”

Ellis will fly out and spend a few days in the schools and finding out where the money will be going and the impact that it will have on the lives of children in Tanzania.

She added: “I would like to thank my mum (Annemarie) dad (Drew) and brother (Logan) for supporting me in my crazy decisions, Pauline MacPherson and the Staff of Ardrossan Academy for allowing me to come along to their Christmas Fete and to everyone who has donated so far. They are helping me change lives.”

To contribute to Ellis’ cause you can visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/elliskennedy or you can text UNLOCK 193243 to 70008 and that will donate £3.