Thirteen-year-old Ruby, from Spennymoor, has been given the chance-of-a-lifetime to travel to Zanzibar with her school to take part some volunteer work.

As part of the trip, she will get to help local schoolchildren through teaching and helping to build the school.

Ruby’s mam, Tracey, has explained how much it would mean to her daughter to be able to take part in this trip.

“Ruby has had such a tough start in life,” said Tracey. “In 2019, she lost her granda suddenly (my dad) who she was very close to.

“She then watched her nana (my mam) get sick with vascular dementia and we lost her 2020.

“Then, in 2021, I found out I had a rare aggressive cancer which had spread. Ruby was so traumatised watching me get so sick that she ended up with tourettes and anxiety issues, something she really struggles with.

“But she is one of the most amazing girls I have ever met,” said Tracey, “and if anyone deserves this, Ruby does.”

Ruby’s great-aunty is knitting teddies for her to sell and the family is asking any local businesses who may be happy to sponsor her, or to donate a gift that could be raffled, to get in touch.

“Ruby doesn’t go until 2025,” said her mam, “but the trip is £2,700, so it’s a lot of money for us to raise.

“For all she struggles with confidence due to having both vocal and physical tics, she performs in the local panto every year. She just gets up on stage and gives it her all.

“She has just performed in Cinderella at the town hall as one of the dancers.”

To find out more and to get in touch, visit the private facebook group, ‘Ruby’s African Adventure’.

“It would mean the world to me to see her make this trip,” said Tracey.