YOUNG people from the North-East are raising money to take part in the challenge of a lifetime.

Students at Hermitage Academy in Chester-le-Street are travelling to Thailand and Cambodia for four weeks to work on local projects.

The trip next July is arranged through the World Challenge organisation, which works with schools around the country to support students’ developmental trips.

Fourteen-year-old Ryan Stringer, who is hoping to go with around 20 other teenagers, said: “This is not an average school trip and is certainly not a holiday. It is a challenging expedition that will teach the team valuable life skills such as leadership, communication and teamwork.

“We are about to embark on the biggest challenge of our lives and we want to let the local community know about it. Hopefully they will help us with our fundraising activities.”

Students have to raise £3,500 each to cover the costs of the trip and are organising fundraising as well as looking for company sponsorship.

To support the students call the school on 0191-388-7161.