A team of 17 students and teachers will be heading out to Tanzania in the summer to help out a community.
The group from Spalding’s Sir John Gleed School is taking part in the World Challenge and leaves the UK for the 17-day trip on July 17.
The group is a mix of boys and girls from years nine, ten and 11 and each member needs to raise at least £2,295 to cover the costs of the trip.
The students have been fundraising individually and as a group for some time organising various events.
Julie Walton, whose daughter Olivia Battson is going on the trip, said: “They need to raise funds to cover the cost of the trip plus enough to pay for associated costs such as visas and vaccinations.
“While they are out there they will be working on a project but they don’t know what yet.
“It’s a ten-hour flight and then they will have to hike about 30 miles to get to the village where they will be working, so on top of the fundraising, they are having to get fit.
“The hike will take two or three days and they will get to see quite a bit of the country, along with lots of wildlife there.”
This is the first year that the school has taken part in the World Challenge but Julie says it is hoping to establish links with the area and return in subsequent years.
Julie added: “They are all really excited about the trip.
“It will be hard work for them but a fantastic experience.
“While there they will have to think for themselves and manage their own budget.
“Some of them have never been on a plane before so it’s a big thing for them.”
Upcoming fundraising events include an under 18s UV party at Spalding nightclub Loaded tomorrow (Friday) and a bowling night at AlleyCatz on Thursday, February 19 (see page 19 for more information).
There are also plans to hold a fashion show at the school on March 5.
Julie added: “The students have done a few bag packs around the town and some local businesses have been very supportive.
“There is also a team of mums and dads behind the students helping them with the fundraising.”
