PERSHORE High School student, Ben Atkin, 15, will be heading to Africa in August to climb the oldest extinct volcano in the region, Mount Elgon, on the Ugandan-Kenyan border.

He is hoping to receive support from fellow animal lovers to sponsor him as he raises money to help homeless, unwanted, sick and injured Blue Cross pets.

Passionate about pets, Ben will travel to Africa in August and spend a few weeks as an intern at a vet practice in Uganda. He will start tackling the 14,000ft climb up Mount Elgon from 26 August and aims to reach the summit on 29 August.

To support him, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-atkin2