Seventeen year-old, Emma Kenny is on a mission to raise £4,000 that will allow her to take part in an expedition to south Peru, where she will work to help the local community.

As part of a national scheme called World Challenge, she hopes to travel with other students from college who will contribute to the community through building projects.

The 17-year-old said: "It seemed like an opportunity I could not pass up.

"I found out about it at college and there's a group of 17 of us going for a month in 2009."

To help raise the cash, Emma is set to do a bungee jump off Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge on Sunday, May 25, this year.

She said: "I'm excited about it. It's something that I have always wanted to do.

"Heights don't really bother me so I'm sure I will be OK."

Emma lives with her mum Adrienne, 38, who works with children with learning difficulties, in Brougham Court, in Peterlee.
So far the innovative teenager has raised £2,000 through saving and doing bag packs at local stores.

But she is hoping that the local community will get behind her and with sponsorship.

Emma can be contacted by emailing spunge_mad@hotmail.com.