Take That fundraiser for Africa expedition

A PAIR of  Rotherham students are hoping to embark help rescue threatened African wildlife on a volunteering expedition.

Animal-mad Abigail Carter (19) and Carley Parol (23) are fund-raising for the trip of a lifetime to Namibia later this year.

They have organised a Take That tribute night at the Pitches Sports Club tomorrow as they look to raise the £4,000 needed to make the trip.

“We’re extremely excited to take on this challenge, but in raising the money needed and when we’re out there,” said Abigail, of Broom Lane.

“We have done a considerable amount of research and are both very aware how hard it will be when we are out there.”

Abigail and Carley met at RCAT, where they are both in their final year of studies for a National Diploma in animal management.

“During the second year we both decided that we wanted to travel, help, rescue and rehabilitate animals wherever we could,” said Abigail. “It will be helping with the conservation of species and also be an amazing experience that will help us hugely in both our future careers.

“Our inspiration for this was one of our tutors, Andrew Jonas, who has travelled to many places to aid with animal conservation.

“He often shares his experiences with us, and when we told him what we wanted to do he offered all the help we needed to get started, so it’s thanks to him that we’ve got this far.”

The trip will see Abigail and Carley working at rescue sanctuary Noah’s Ark in Gobabis—a family-run wildlife centre which has housed lions, leopards, baboons, meerkats and antelope.

They are also hoping the experience will also help further their own post-college careers.

Abigail has always wanted to become an RSPCA inspector and Carley, of Moor Road, East Dene, would like to study animal biology at university.

The Take That 2 tribute night   will also include a reverse auction and raffle. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are £8 from 07794 782804.