ADVENTUROUS teenager James Etheridge is appealing for sponsorship to make a dream expedition to Ecuador a reality.

Mr Etheridge, 19, of Portland Road, Weymouth, is planning to make the month-long trip with the Dorset Expeditionary Society in late July.

But to make his venture possible he has to raise a further £300, having already accumulated £1,850 through fundraising events.

Mr Etheridge, who is a Budmouth Technology College A-level student, said: "On completing the sixth form it's my intention to go to university to do a course in outdoor education and geography.

"But before I start my course I'm going on a four-week expedition to Ecuador to further my knowledge and understanding of the world and prepare me for life at university.

"I'm hoping that it's going to change me as a person. I've studied some of these places at school and it will be great to actually see them first-hand."

Mr Etheridge said he spends a lot of time leading and helping local young people fulfil their potential.

He has recently qualified as a leader in the Weymouth South Scout Group after 12 years as a member and runs the rookie lifeguard section of the Weymouth Canoe Lifeguards.

But he believes his forthcoming trip will improve his ability to lead further still.

Mr Etheridge said: "I'm hoping the expedition will help develop my leadership skills and push me further than I have been before.

"This expedition involves trekking through the rainforest, canoeing on the Amazon and climbing Mount Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano, and other Andes peaks."

He plans to fly to Quito, Ecuador's capital, on July 25. Mr Etheridge said he would be happy to wear business logos on his backpack in return for sponsorship.

Anyone interested can contact him by email at jamesetheridge@fsmail.net

Ecuador is located on the north-western coast of South America, between Peru to the south and east and Colombia to the north.

At 276,840 sq km it is the smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands and has an array of indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest.