Two Cockermouth woman are heading to Africa to help set up a scheme which will support young girls in deprived areas.

Liz Hunter and Helen Lee will be going to Sierra Leone, in north west Africa, on October 27, for a month. They will be volunteering with the We Yone Child Foundation (WYCF), which has built and runs three primary schools for families living in the Freetown slums.

The foundation's aim is to educate and empower youngsters.

Liz, a physiotherapist, said: "There is a big issue with gender inequality. Girls desperately need an education, to improve their lives, self worth and confidence.

"But there is a big problem with them missing a week of school each month as they cannot afford to buy sanitary protection.

"We are going to help set up a project which involves a small business of four mothers who will make washable reusable sanitary pads for the girls in the schools."

Helen, who works at Horizon Tile and Bathroom Centre in Workington, and Liz are appealing for people to donate pants, suitable for a girl aged 10-16, cotton thread and poppers.

"An amazing Cockermouth friend has donated the money for four sewing machines," said Liz.

"We shall take out the pants and other equipment and, once we are there, look into what local resources are available.

"There are some hotels there so we are hoping they will be prepared to donate fabric or washing kit."

Helen, who has three grown-up daughters and a son, said: "We felt this is something we could really help with us and hopefully make a difference."

Mum-of-two Liz said: "We want to help them get it off the ground in a sustainable way.

"It's vital for the girls. African women have a very different attitude to themselves from us. Their expectations are so low, the school is keen to raise their expectations and encourage equality.

"After ebola in 2015 when so many children were orphaned, thousands of girls aged 12-plus got pregnant because it was the only means they had of earning money for food and shelter."

The pair have had rabies, cholera, yellow fever and hepatitis jabs and will take malaria tablets. They will stay in a local guest house.

"I just want to get on with it now," said Liz. "It all started last year when I was 50. I had heard about great work done by WYCF and gave my birthday money to the foundation."

Donations can be made to the We Yone Child Foundation at www.weyonechildfoundation.org