Having received a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree from the University of the West of England, Ben Rowswell has been selected to join a three month environ-mental conservation expedition in association with Raleigh Inter-national, a Charitable Trust working on en-vironmental projects in remote areas of the world.

Ben will be working with the protected areas authority in the rainforests of the Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei, helping to protect this vulnerable natural habitat.

Ben said: 'This is one of many areas of rainforest that is in need of protection and support, not only from the rainforest inhabitants, but from the global community, which is why I am really pleased to have received a lot of interest from my local community in Liskeard. I have to raise £3,000 before I leave in September.'

Ben expects to raise the majority of this amount through sponsored events, giving talks and involving local schools and businesses.

He said: 'I am really enthusiastic about people making small con-tributions and celebrating the long term positive changes that result.'

Ben started his fund raising by organising a party in aid of the charity held last Friday in The Fountain Hotel, on Liskeard Parade.

Ben said: 'It was a real success, donations from Mezze, The Carlton Suite and The Fountain Hotel meant that I was able to involve a group of people that otherwise may not have shown interest, we partied until the morning and raised over £80.'

If you would like to donate towards the conservation expedition or have ideas for fund raising, please contact Ben on 01579 346410.