Borneo trip excites Lancing students

Eleven Sir Robert Woodard Academy students will make the long haul flight to Malaysia next August to experience a different culture and carry out beneficial projects including tree-planting, working with orangutans, teaching English to adults and much more. The trip will finish with a five-day scuba diving course.

For Kelly Rose, 15, of Addison Close, Lancing, the trip will be her first time abroad.

She said: “I just like volunteering and helping out people. I feel like I need to give back to the world as I have grown up in good living conditions. It hasn’t sunk in yet because it’s quite far away but I’m excited for it.”

Will Moore, 15, of Cecil Road, Lancing, added: “It’s something completely different. I’ve never seen an opportunity like this before. Looking at how much we have got to fundraise is quite daunting, but I think all working together, like we are, and getting our head’s down and setting up lots of fundraising things – hopefully we can all make it together.”

Each person on the trip needs to raise £4,000 to cover costs.

Teacher and trip co-ordinator Guy Williams has established regular meetings with the students, their parents and community groups to try and find ways to raise the required funds. Ideas include clearing a cemetery, fixing up a BMX park, cleaning staff cars and a school fun day which is taking place on July 18.

Kelly said she has already lined up three jobs to help reach the £4,000 target.

Richard Peacock’s daughter Caitlin, 15, has signed up for the trip.

Mr Peacock, 60, of Pratton Avenue, Lancing, said: “To me it’s an absolutely golden opportunity to see how different people live. It will be a real eye-opener for them. I think with most of them it will boost their confidence and their self-esteem.”

Mr Williams said the trip was the biggest and furthest afield the school had ever done.

“We are looking at broadening their horizons,” he said. “It’s doing something constructive and not just being a tourist.

“As a group they support each other, they encourage each other. It’s been fantastic, they are really excited and a little bit scared.”

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