A TEAM of students will be embarking on a trip of a lifetime together this year.
The nine Endon High students, along with their teacher Helen Ibrahim, will be travelling to Malaysia for a multitude of activities including a five-day trek in Taman Negara National Park, another trek in the Cameron Highlands and four days helping to build a boarding school for children in Bentong.
The travelling team, which is taking on the World Challenge, is made up of Beth Bairstow- Morris, Rachel Hurst, Megan Bailey, Joshua Asbury, Ryan Mountford, Sam Taylor, Dean Higgins, Grant Salt and Phoebee Bambury.
Beth, aged 16, said: “I decided to take part in this challenge as my nan went to India and inspired me.”
Rachel, aged 15, said: “I am looking forward to the community project part of the trip, helping the children out there.” Each member of the team has to raise a total of £3,145 to fund their trip and part of the works for the new boarding school in Bentong.
Megan, aged 14, said: “When we were told how much we needed to raise, I did think it was a lot of money, but when you think about how much the flights are and also the cost it takes for World Challenge to pay for things out there, it does add up.”
Joshua, aged 14, has so far raised £2,200. He said: “I have done a sponsored abseil and will be doing another one this year. It has been fun raising the money.”
Fourteen-year-old Grant added: “I have raised £2,000 so far but have a number of fund-raising events coming up including a curry night.”
The team have already embarked on a smallscale training trip together. Ryan, aged 15, explained: “It was a camping and walking weekend at Cannock Chase. It was good to really get to know each other before the big trip.”
The Malaysia trip is set to bring many challenges for the teenagers. Fifteen-year-old Sam admitted he is not looking forward to trekking through a jungle. He said: “I am a bit daunted by that aspect of the trip but I am looking forward to meeting the children at the community project.”
As for missing home comforts and technology such as social media, Dean, aged 14, said: “I won’t miss being able to go on Facebook as I will be with my friends anyway.” Phoebee, aged 15, added: “I see this trip as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“It is also going to be the last time I will be spending time with my high school friends before we go our separate ways, because it will be after our GCSE exams and our prom.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor the Endon High School team as a whole can contact Helen Ibrahim at the school on 01782 502240.
