A TEENAGER fundraising for a trip to Costa Rica is holding a charity event in Richmond featuring an inspirational war hero as guest speaker.

Katie Lee-Brown, 17, from Richmond, is a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington and has to raise nearly £3,000 for the charity trip in October, which will enable her to help the local community and get involved in the building of a new school.

Her mother, Anita Lee, said they have organised an event in Richmond Town Hall on Saturday, May 2 from 7pm until 10pm, with guest speaker Andy Reid, a veteran who lost both legs and an arm after he was blown up in Afghanistan.

She said: “He is a terrific speaker and so inspirational – he encourages other injured service personnel to live a normal a life as possible and he talks about how he has done that.

“He is also a charity ambassador for ABS the Soldiers’ Charity.”

Miss Lee-Brown, who hopes to become a mental health nurse, is also taking on a skydive on May 31 to boost the fundraising total.

To book tickets, costing £20 including an alcoholic drink and canapés, contact Mrs Lee on 01325-378538 or 07939-241427.