A TEACHER is taking her students on the trip of a lifetime after being inspired by her own South African adventure.

The group of 12 Stockton Riverside College students are destined for the desert plains of Namibia, where they will help local farmers and the surrounding communities to live in harmony with the region’s wild elephants.

In preparation the team has embarked on a fundraising drive to help towards the costs of the life changing adventure.

“I can’t put into words what an amazing opportunity this will be for the students,” said the college’s childcare course leader and early years lecturer, Liz Maddison, who made the journey herself 18 months ago.

“I had always wanted to do some charity work in Africa and working with elephants was a lifelong dream,” said the mother-of-three. “I read about this volunteer project and it seemed ideal.”

She signed up for the two-week trip and before she knew it she was heading for Anixab Damaraland, in the Kunene region of Namibia. There she undertook building projects to help stop the wild elephants from trampling crops and monitoring the giant beasts in their natural environment.

Now the plan is to retrace her steps, but this time she is taking along a fellow teacher and the 12 intrepid young volunteers to share the experience.

Travelling to Namibia this October the Stockton Riverside College team will work on a building project at a local primary school, as well as taking part in the all-important elephant patrols.

The group has already organised a host of fundraising events including charity nights, cake stalls, tombolas and even an elephant race night, to help towards the cost of the once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

If you would like to help, or make a contribution, towards the students’ Namibian adventure go to www.gofundme.com/ProjectNamibia15