AFTER raising more than 2,000 for a charity that helps seriously ill children to take the holiday of their dreams, a Gwent teenager is getting the chance to fly Down Under.

Kirsty Sutton, 18, from Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, has raised 2,250 over the last two years for the Joshua Foundation, which sends terminally ill children on away-days and holidays.

Members of the foundation visit schools in Wales and offer a fundraising scheme to pupils. If they raise 2,250 in the two years they get a chance to fly to Australia to partake in conservation work.

Kirsty, formerly a pupil at Fairwater School, volunteered for the scheme.

She said: "I wanted to help out children who were ill and I found the scheme really interesting.

"I thought raising the money would be worth while.."

Kirsty has worked hard to raise the cash with various events over the past two years, including sponsored trampolining, car-boot sales, raffles and bag packing.

Forresters Car Club, based at Croesyceiliog Cricket Club, made Kirsty's fundraiser their charity for the year - raising a huge 1,077.

The trip to Australia is to take place in July, and will start with a get-together in Sydney. The group are to stay there for two weeks, and it will be a first for Kirsty, who is currently studying childcare at Pontypool College and working part time.

"I have never been to Australia, I can't wait," she said.

She is to travel with 40 other fundraisers and will spend the time doing conservation work, helping to clean up land which will be used for future Joshua Foundation centres and planting trees.

Her mum, Leigh, said: "We are very proud of her, she has worked so hard, and we would like to thank everyone who donated and helped out."