An intrepid group of Thomas Clarkson Academy students is preparing to head to the jungles of Borneo on a life-changing four week trip next summer.

The 5 students, who will be in Years 11 to 13 when they go, will be living as part of a rural community in Borneo and could be building schools or children’s homes, creating a community garden or taking part in forest regeneration.  They will respond to whatever the locals require to improve their living standards.

This will be the first time our students have had the opportunity to take part in this type of project  but they each need to raise nearly £4,000 to fund their trip.

They are taking part in a range of fundraising events, from car washing and cake sales to lawn mowing and fence painting, but are also looking for sponsorship from local businesses.

Paul Musson, Head of Sixth Form, said: “We wanted to widen their knowledge of the world and give them an opportunity to experience another way of life and other cultures.

“It is an amazing experience to work together as a team and to have a sense of achievement at the end of it.”

Ella Chadney, 14, said while she was worried about the spiders she might encounter while sleeping in a hammock in the jungle, she was excited about the opportunity to travel and hoped it would help her in her ambition to become a teacher.

Joseph Moore, 15, is used to the outdoor life, having completed a sponsored climb up a mountain to help raise money for the trip, and is looking forward to the jungle walks and learning to scuba dive.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the young explorers should contact Mr Musson at Thomas Clarkson Academy on 01945 585237 or email pmusson@thomasclarkson.cambs.sch.uk