Students from The Marches School, Oswestry, joined by peers at Whitchurch's Sir John Talbot’s School will be going on a life changing expedition to Greece next year.

The two schools form part of The Marches Academy Trust, which has scheduled a trip to take place during the summer holiday of 2020, and will see students embark on a 12-day expedition that will incorporate a very busy itinerary.

Students will spend four days working at a conservation centre with Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, where they will contribute to Loggerhead Turtle conservation, by carrying out acts which aim to protect sea turtles and their habitat, this will involve carrying out beach clean ups and checking nests.

Karl Hartey, from the Charlotte Hartey Foundation, which supports purposeful projects in schools, kindly donated £500 with three students heading to their headquarters in Salop Road on Monday to accept the generous cheque,

“Charlotte had the opportunity to enjoy a vast range of exciting trips," said Mr Hartey.

"The Charlotte Hartey Foundation supports worthwhile causes and provides children with the opportunity to step beyond Oswestry and experience the world. This in turn helps young people to grow as individuals, equipping them with life skills to have successful futures."

The expedition will also see students camping and kayaking around the Greek coastline, designed to develop the students as young adults, improving their key skills such as communication, problem solving and leadership, as well as teaching them to travel safely and have an in depth understanding of other cultures

Preparations are already underway for the expedition, with students playing their part by raising £2,000 each, to get them to Greece.

One group – Louis Mansell, Joe Hidden-Davidson and Billy Clarke from Year 10 – have organised a Race Night to take place on Saturday, June 15 at Morda Village Hall at 7:30pm.

Tickets are £5 and there will be a raffle with fabulous prizes that have kindly been donated, which includes a week’s stay at a Welsh holiday cottage, and all are welcome.