TRADITIONALLY Christmas is the time for giving but one Cronton Sixth Form student has decided to go the extra mile to help others.

Rebecca Shipway, who is studying health and social care, will be celebrating Christmas a little differently this year.

Along with her older sister Caroline, Rebecca will be spending the festive season in Ghana as part of a two week Care in the Community project.

From December 20 to January 2, the kind-hearted sisters will be helping orphans to read and learn English during the day while decorating the community centre in the evenings.

Rebecca, 17, said: “This is something we have always wanted to do since we found out about the project when we were younger. 

“My mum is a bit nervous about us going so far away, but both my parents have been really supportive as they know it is something we really want to do.”

The sisters have had to fund the trip and have managed to raise £1,000 each to cover the costs through various activities and a Just Giving page. 

They have also organised a prize raffle, raising more than £300 which will be used to buy Christmas presents for the children.

The former King David High School pupil added: “This is an amazing opportunity for me and my sister.

"We will experience living with a host family in Ghana and get to make a real difference to the children’s lives out there.”

Donations to the Christmas present fund can be left in an envelope marked ‘Ghana Christmas’ at Cronton reception.