A Penryn artist will be taking her skills to Africa in May as she tries to find creative ways to educate people about the dangers of diabetes and limb loss.

Megan Clarke, a former Falmouth University fine art student, will be working with Falmouth-based charity Legs4Africa as she aims to create an educational video with schoolchildren in The Gambia, before taking the finished piece on a month-long tour of the country.

Diabetes is a major cause of limb loss in the west African nation, and Megan will also be taking out much needed medical equipment and researching the aftercare of prosthetics patients in the country.

Megan said: "I have been aware of diabetes being strongly linked to limb-loss as well as being one of the biggest killers in the Gabia through my work with Legs4Africa over the past couple of years.

"About a month ago I received a phone call from Tom, the founder of Legs4Africa, we were just talking about their findings, that just over half the amputees they have met have limb-loss due to type two diabetes and that this is linked to an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of education in this area.

"Tom asked me if I'd think about volunteering using my skills creative and workshops skills and 30 minutes later I was committed."

To fund her project Megan needs the support of the Penryn and Falmouth community, and she has set up an online fundraising page which has already raised £900 of the £1,200 total. However, she has four days left to raise the final £300.

The money will help Megan with her plan to visit hospitals and a prosthetics centre to learn more about diabetes and diet, before heading to a local school and making a film with the children, which she will then take on tour to different schools to start what she calls an "imperative conversation with young Gambians."

She said: "As well as this much needed message being started the great thing I have found from past experience with film workshops in schools is the effect it also has on the individuals making the informative films.

"A confidence and raise in self esteem is found and an important lesson is learnt that children can teach as well as be taught, in this case through the film that they are making.

"I believe this project will be hugely empowering to the group which make the film and the individuals who watch it, who can hopefully have a little more control over their diabetes."

To help Megan reach her goal, go to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/helping-the-gambia-fight-limb-loss/x/13835693#/ or go to www.indiegogo.com and search Helping the Gambia fight limb loss.