A GREENOCK mum is heading off to fulfil a lifelong dream by teaching children in Africa.

Lorna Veal, 48, has thrown herself into fundraising to pay for her trip to Ghana with a volunteer project GV1 Ghana.

She will spend three weeks in May on an early years teaching programme in Accra.

Lorna said: "I've wanted to do this all my life."

The former bank worker told the Tele how she has been through an emotional rollercoaster which changed her life forever.

She said: "The turning point for me was when my dad was dying with cancer in Spain and there was no social care out there at all.

"So I sold my house and gave up my job at the Bank of Scotland of 19 years and went to Spain for a year.

"It was a real eye opener, being out of this country and with no hospice, no Macmillan nurses - absolutely nothing."

After she lost her dad Glen Strachan, a former bank manager who was a member of Mensa, she returned home and started fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Still grieving for her dad, she had to find a new job and with her children Cameron and Kirsty grown up she felt she needed a new purpose.

Lorna decided that in her last full year in her 40s she wanted to make a far-reaching difference in any way she can.

The aid project in Ghana is aimed at empowering women.

Lorna said: "This is an initiative I am massively passionate about.

"I can't wait to do something that really helps to make a difference to the lives of women and children on the other side of the world who aren't fortunate like ourselves to be born into free education."

The fitness fanatic has thrown herself into fundraising for her once-in-a-lifetime trip and afterwards.

She said: "In the months before and after Ghana I am embarking on several challenges which began with a tough run in Falkirk in January.

"I am doing the the Meadows Marathon in Edinburgh in March, the Edinburgh Marathon 10k in April and the Glasgow Kiltwalk 23 miles in April, a Ben Nevis Climb in August and the Great Glasgow Run in October.

"I always feel you can do anything you want.

"I've been on my own quite a long time and have a number of married friends who say I never fail to amaze them but I think 'just do it'."

Lorna is heading out to Ghana on May 30 for three weeks and the trip will cost £3,000, so she has set up a Justgiving crowdfunding page.

All the funds raised will go back to the charity and its work.

Lorna said: "I am incredibly passionate about everything I do and I'll give it 100 per cent."

To support Lorna visit https://www.justgiving.com and search for Lorna Veal.