The 24-year-old from Rose Green has been involved in charity work since the age of 16 and has undertaken many fundraising ventures for the likes of Parkinson’s UK, Comic Relief and the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust. “In October, I will be off to volunteer for three months on a VSO International Development programme in Nigeria,” she explained. “This is part of the International Citizen Service (ICS), which brings young people together to fight poverty and make a difference where is it needed most. “The project I am working on aims to support and enhance the economic participation of women within the cocoa value-chain.” Melissa will be involved in raising awareness about the micro finance schemes offered by the Farmers Development Union, delivering financial literacy training, increasing enterprise opportunities and organising community action days to re-igniting farming passion in youth. Melissa added: “Before my departure, I have a mission to raise at least £800 for VSO, which is the leading development charity that delivers ICS. “This will not in any way fund my personal trip but will allow them to continue to bring about positive change in the developing communities where they work.” She has organised a number of bake sales and will be running the Fishbourne Flat Five in September. But her main fundraising event is a pub quiz and auction night at The Inglenook hotel, Pagham Road, Nyetimber, on Sunday, starting at 8pm. For more information, telephone 01243 262139. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 – Make our website your homepage at www.bognor.co.uk 2 – Like our Facebook pages at Bognor Regis Observer Facebook 3 – Follow us on Twitter at @BogObserver 4 – Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out! The Bognor Regis Observer – always the first with your local news. Be part of it.
