A UNIVERSITY student has raised £240 in just six weeks for the Meningitis Research Foundation as she prepares to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Courtney Townsend, of Lydney, is currently studying at Plymouth University and plans to climb the 19,341ft summit in Tanzania next August with 40 fellow students.

The charity is the university’s designated charity for this year.

The 18-year-old said: “Meningitis is a serious disease that affects around 3,200 people in the UK each year, particularly students and schoolchildren. With the help of donations the amount I hope to raise for this trip could either fund three weeks of a typical research project, over 100 awareness talks or run the foundation’s helpline for nearly two weeks. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated to help out with this amazing cause.”

The former Dean Academy pupil has held cake sales and a raffle. Donations can be made at www.everydayhero.com and search for Courtney Townsend.