MUSSELBURGH Grammar student Anna Kennedy is heading to Malawi for 12 months to work with children who have lost a parent.

Anna, 17, is the first teenager from her school to be chosen by educational charity Project Trust to join one of its volunteer programmes.

She can draw on personal experience in her new challenge, as she is the daughter of former Musselburgh councillor Simon Kennedy, who died suddenly when Anna was just a toddler.

Mr Kennedy was less than a year into his newly elected role, in 2000, when he collapsed and died unexpectedly, at the age of 39.

Anna, who was only three when her dad passed away, is determined to pursue a career in social care, and her year in Malawi will see her working with youngsters in orphanages and in care, who are lacking a positive role model.

The teenager, who is currently studying for her Highers, said she hoped her dad, who was a popular figure in the Honest Toun, would have been proud of her decision.

Anna said: “I want to work in social care and this opportunity is fantastic for me.

“I was very young when my dad passed away, but I hope he will be proud of my plans and my goals.” Sixth-year student Anna underwent a rigorous selection to win her place with the Project Trust. She was in one of the last groups selected this year and now has to raise £5,600 before the summer to ensure she has the funds for her year-long placement.

Anna said: “I am fundraising as well as writing to charitable trusts and anyone else I think that may be able to help me achieve my goal.

“As I was in the later selection group I have a lot less time to raise the money and I am under a lot more pressure to study for my exams, as well as try and raise funds.

“It’s a challenge, but I am determined to get there.” Project Trust sends young people all over the world to help with volunteer programmes it funds.

Anna was delighted to learn that her placement was in Malawi and working with children.

She said: “Malawi was my first choice and it’s a social care project, which is the area of work I want to go into.

“I’ll be working in an orphanage or a care home, helping the children with their day-to-day needs but also acting as a positive role model in their life and being someone they can look up to, as many of them will have never had that figure.

“I also hope to start up my own secondary project while there – as I played football for a number of years, I hope to start a football team.” Musselburgh West councillor John McNeil, who worked with Anna’s father, urged the local community to support Anna, saying she was the pride of the town.

He said: “I was elected around the same time as Simon; he was a really motivated and well-respected public servant who did a lot for the community and was a good role model to others.

“His sudden death was a shock to the entire town and a great loss.

“I am delighted Anna is also going out to do great work, which will make Musselburgh proud and is good for the community and, indeed, Scotland.

“I hope everyone who can supports her.” Anna’s fundraising page is online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AnnaKennedy1, or cheques can be sent to her family home at 9 Beulah, Musselburgh.