A MASTERS graduate who has won the chance to help develop desperately needed HIV services in South Africa is hoping her baking abilities will help her raise the money to go.

Alison Stretton-Downes, 23,from Crakehall, near Bedale, has been offered an internship with the Witswatersrand University Reproductive Health Institute (Wits) in Johannesburg for six months.

But she needs to raise £3,200 towards the cost so she’s been trying out new recipes and has been up to her elbows in flour and sugar doing dinner parties, bake sales and a coffee morning.

“This is really important. This will give me the chance to be involved in cutting edge research which is part of an international response to the HIV epidemic,” she said.

“I will be part of supporting Wits in what they are doing to tackle the high HIV rates in Johannesburg, especially amongst young people.

“The project aims to tackle Africa’s health challenges through science and innovation and to lead the way in the field of HIV. This is a really exciting unique opportunity to work in an environment where I can influence policy and practice through social research and develop HIV services for those at high risk.

“I am excited for what I will learn and the difference I could make."

Ms Stretton-Downes has just completed her Masters at Northumbria University in disaster management and sustainability. She can be contacted on 07447977048.