An actress from Menston and two friends are hoping to play a starring role in the lives of under-privileged children in an African orphanage.

Kirsty Armstrong, of Bingley Road, Jennie Marshall, of Bradford Road, Guiseley, and Joanna Dobney, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, are setting off from Leeds Bradford Airport on August 18 for a brief transfer in Amsterdam before travelling on to Kenya.

Kirsty, 21, said: “We are flying out to Nairobi for two weeks to work with an organisation called New Life Home Trust. We will work in Nairobi in an orphanage with babies up to two-years-old and then fly to Kisumu where we will work in another orphanage with disabled children aged 0-5 years.

“I am really looking forward to it. It will be hard for us but one of those experiences that don’t come about that often.”

All three girls are 21-years-old and two have recently graduated from university. The are former pupils of Guiseley school and studied A level health and social care together.

Kirsty said: “After obtaining our A levels the three of us decided to chase individual career paths which we hope will contribute to our work in Africa.

“I have recently graduated from Leeds University with a BA honours in Theatre and performance. As well as working hard academically in my final year I filmed for a national anti teenage pregnancy campaign, had a guest lead role in BBC1’s Doctors and a role in an episode of BBC1’s Ashes to Ashes.

“I am hoping to use my acting experience to creatively engage with the children and practice some of the drama therapy techniques I have been reading up on recently.”

Joanna has recently graduated from York St John’s University with a degree in occupational therapy. On the many placements she has worked on during her course she has worked with both adults and children in community and hospital settings.

She is particularly looking forward to the work they will be doing with the disabled children as this is where her experience and strengths lie.

Jennie has just finished her second year at Manchester University studying for a degree in nursing. She plans to use her nursing background to identify with the medical implications the children are suffering with and treat the experience as a valuable learning experience for her desired future career as a school nurse or health visitor.

Kirsty said: “We have funded the trip ourselves but we are asking for donations of money and gifts to be donated to the charity from our friends and our local community.”

The girls have written to the airport asking for extra baggage allowance so they can take donated clothes and toys out with them to give to the children.

The organisation’s website is newlifehometrust.org/. Anyone who thinks they can help should telephone Kirsty on 0772 586 9392.