A HEXHAM therapist has travelled to West Africa as part of a bid to set up a music and education project in The Gambia.

Rachel Donnelly runs Sunflower Holistic Therapies in Hexham, but also volunteers as trustee and treasurer for Time For Change Foundation.

The charity was set up in April by North-East based band The Warm Collective, comprised of singers, rappers, and musicians originating from the likes of Angola, Jamaica, The Gambia and Mexico.

Earlier this month, some of the band, along with Rachel, travelled to The Gambia, with the aim of providing an ongoing programme where participants get the chance to make music and develop their talents, whilst also receiving training in practical skills.

The band is donating a portion of their earnings to the foundation, and have also set up a Just Giving page.

Rachel said: “In order for us to achieve our mission goals as charity we know we need to raise funds, so this is part of my role as treasurer.

“But more than that we know that once we are able to raise the money it will be used effectively to make a difference in The Gambia.”

Donations can be made to Time For Change’s campaign at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/t4c