A teenage animal lover needs to raise £2,500 so she can fulfil a lifetime ambition and take part in a month long conservation project in South Africa this summer.

Lauren Kirby, 17, of March, who hopes one day to be a veterinary surgeon, is climbing Mount Snowdon in February to help with her fundraising quest.

The dedicated Long Road College, Cambridge, pupil, who is working two jobs to help her reach her target, has been volunteering with the RSPCA since last March to help prepare her for the project.

She has already done a cake sale at her college, raising £72.50, and is planning on doing a cake sale and selling home made dog biscuits at the RSPCA’s open day this Easter.

She said: “It has been a lifelong ambition to go to Africa. My older sister went 13 years ago and she has become a veterinary nurse.

“Out there I would be working with the big five: elephants, tigers, lions, rhinos and cheetahs.

“I will be monitoring their behaviour, eating and breeding patterns and looking after their welfare.

“I want to be a veterinary surgeon when I finish my studies. I’ve been doing work experience with small and large animals and volunteering at the RSPCA to help me prepare.”

The Mount Snowdon expedition will be led by family friend and experienced walker Nigel Searle, who is taking his own time to organise the trek and bringing his team of experienced mountain walkers.

Ms Kirby will not be going to Africa alone - she will be doing the project with March school friend Millie Foreman.

Ms Kirby said: “I’m so excited that we will be able to do it together. We’ve known each other since we were really young.”

You can sponsor Lauren at http://sponsorlaurenkirby.webs.com