Student hopes to help build hospital

A WARRINGTON student is hoping to give up his summer holiday to help build a hospital in Africa.
Liam Cooke, who is studying A Levels at Priestley College, is planning to spend three months in Malawi – one of the least developed countries in the world.
The 18-year-old says he wants to help build a hospital and educate local children, but first has to raise £800 to fund his trip.
“I’ve been volunteering for five years and this is something I really want to do,” said Liam, of Sheffield Close in Great Sankey.
“I will go out there and help in any way I can, but first I have to raise the money.”
Liam has enrolled into the International Citizen Service, a government-backed scheme that is run by the Christian organisation Progressio.
Together their goal is to give young people the chance to help communities overseas.
He has already started fundraising after organising a gig in Warrington and, together with other donations, has so far managed to raise £370.
However, he needs more sponsors to achieve his goal of helping one of Africa’s poorest communities.
“I’m looking forward to it, but at the same time I’m worried I won’t raise the money in time and if I don’t I can’t go,” he said.
Malawi’s economy is heavily based in agriculture and its government faces challenges in building and expanding the economy, improving education and health care.
It suffers from a low life expectancy and a high infant mortality rate.
Liam, who is studying Computing, Business Studies, Law and the Extended Project at Priestley, has to raise the £800 by July.
The former St Gregory’ High pupil, who is hoping to become a youth worker, said: “I think we will be starting a new hospital in Malawi as we are the first group to go. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.”
Anyone who would like to help sponsor Liam can go to www.justgiving.com/MalawiFund or text MAFD95 and the amount
they want to donate to 70070.