A group of young people have set off in a Land Rover to take medical supplies to a clinic in Ghana.

The group aims to be in Africa in January, to deliver supplies to the clinic in the coastal town of Elmina, which relies on charitable donations.

Tabitha Cooper, 23, of Beverley House, Frilford, near Abingdon, was inspired to do the trip after taking West African studies at Birmingham University.

She is joined on the 5,200-mile journey by her boyfriend Aubrey Malcolm-Green and friends Greg Nwosu, from London, and Sarah Simpson, from York. They set off yesterday. Robert James, 81, Ms Cooper's grandfather, said: "This is a very good cause. These young people have organised their own funding but have got backing from a travel agent in Old Brompton Road in London in case they face emer- gencies.

"They are taking a gap year to make this journey and we expect them back in May."

Donations for the expedition can still be made to Beverley House by calling 01865 391207.

Access to medical care in Ghana, particularly outside the capital, is scarce and statistics show that there are nearly 25,000 people for every qualified doctor.

Sister Frances, founder of Oxford's Helen House children's hospice, helped set up the Elmina clinic in 1996.

Story date: Monday 08 November

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