A BOURNEMOUTH mum isn’t just working hard for her own little boy – she’s also hoping to help children in Africa.

Hazel Howells, 27, who lives in a mother and baby unit with one-year-old Lewis, is battling to raise money so she can build a school in Ghana.

Hazel is in her first year of an events management degree at Bournemouth University, and will be flying to the country next year if she can raise the funds.

She said: “Bournemouth Uni has a rag week, which raises money for lots of charities, but it’s almost turned into a rag year.

“Last year the Uni raised £150,000, and they’re looking to do even more this year. As part of that, they’re offering an adventure to Ghana to help build a school.”

Hazel has already paid £300, and now needs to find £1,500 that will let her travel to the country between March 30 and April 19.

The student, who has just completed her first term at the university, said Lewis would be taken care of by her partner of nine months, her sister and her mum while she was away.

“I’m really lucky to have a great family who are very supportive,” she said.

“We want to keep Lewis’s routine the same, so everyone will look after him while I’m away.”

Hazel and her former partner of two years broke up while she was pregnant and she moved into a mother-and-baby unit because she couldn’t afford to pay rent.

She said: “It’s nice here, but I’d really like to rent my own place, and I’m working towards that.

“It’s taken me a while to get here. I went to college at 18 but didn’t enjoy it, and then I went back later and fell pregnant.

“Everyone thought I wouldn’t see it through, but I wanted to show them I could do it.

“I really love uni too, so it’s all very exciting.”

To donate, visit www.raise2give .com/ghana-2013/hazel-h/