Student Hayley Nicholls is setting off for Bosnia to comfort deprived children, writes Roseena Parveen.

Hayley, 21, of East Avenue, east Oxford, is taking time out from her English and Marketing course at Oxford Brookes University.

For two weeks, Hayley, a Guides leader, will be offering support to children in orphanages. She will join a team of four, helping to teach the children English and run craft and drama workshops.

Hayley's trip next month was organised by the charity Magdalen College Aid to the Balkans, which is run by students and aims to provide opportunities to help in war torn countries.

Many of the children that Hayley will be working with suffer deep rooted psychological problems after witnessing atrocities during war time.

Hayley needs to raise 500 for accommodation, travel expenses and provide resources such as toys, pens, paper and games.

She said: "I have been to Hungary working with The Guides Association but I have never been to Bosnia. I am excited, but I think it will be hard. There will obviously be a language barrier. But children are very receptive and there many other ways you can communicate."

Anyone wanting to sponsor her can call her on 0787 500051.