A FORMER North Berwick High School pupil is about to swap East Lothian for Africa once more.

Jack Algeo, who finished sixth year at the school in May, will make the 4,500-mile journey to Ghana in October to work with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) for three months.

It follows him travelling to Rwanda last year with other members of North Berwick Youth Project.

While he is in Ghana, Jack will help offer support to teachers in a school and take part in community projects.

Before he departs on October 2, Jack has organised a host of events and challenges to help raise the money he needs to fund his African trip.

The total costs are about £8,000 and the 18-year-old is required to pay at least 10 per cent of that fee – meaning he needs to raise £800 before he can go.

A JustGiving page has been set up for people to make donations, and events such as a bake sale are being held.

The kind-hearted teenager, from Longniddry, who has delayed going to university to take part in the three-month project, will also climb a Munro to help boost the appeal.

He and three friends aim to scale Perthshire’s Schiehallion, which is more than 1,000m high, on Monday.

The teenager is hoping to complete the challenge in about six hours.

His mum Caroline told the Courier that the family were “very proud” of her son’s efforts.

She admitted the family were “a little nervous” at the prospect of Jack being away for 12 weeks with limited contact, but she praised her son for taking on the voluntary role.

She said: “He is an amazing, caring and selfless person! He is very passionate to make changes. He was part of the North Berwick Youth Project that went to Rwanda last year, although this year he won’t have the security of his group of friends.”

Jack’s fundraising total is currently just under £500.

To add to that, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-algeo