ONE local student is set to spend the next six weeks completing charity work in Asia, as she takes part in a project organised by the Irish charity organisation SERVE.

Aisling Doherty has spent the past few months frantically fundraising for the trip which will see her work in an orphanage in Thailand amongst other things, and is looking forward to her departure next week.

"I'm a student social worker, so I'm assuming that the work I'll be doing will be in some way connected to that. To be honest though I've very little idea of what to expect, but it's exciting and it's a great challenge that I'm looking forward to.

Twelve volunteers in total from across Ireland will make the journey, with Aisling and one other female from Derry the only participants from the North. The group have all been assigned different roles across Thailand, where they will work alongside the Sisters of Mercy and the Irish Redemptionists who run the local orphanage.

It's been a challenging few months of frantic fundraising, but Aisling is all too aware that bigger challenges are in store and is looking forward to what lies ahead.

She said, "We had to fundraise for our own flights, and our accommodation is sorted for us when we get there. The sponsorship has mainly come from family and friends, who have been very generous, and Melmount Parish have also given me £400. But any other donations would be very welcome and very much appreciated.

"I'm pretty nervous about it all, but at the same time I'm looking forward to it. It'll be the furthest I've travelled but it's a great chance for me to do something for others and help out a good cause."

The conclusion of Aisling's fundraising drive will take place tommorow night (Friday) with a Night at the Races in Sweeno McGinty's bar, with the action getting underway at 9pm and followed by a karaoke.