Students from the Midsomer Norton Sixth Form will be embarking on a 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip to Kenya this July. A trip of such magnitude is never cheap, but this hasn't dissuaded the Sixth Form students, who have been tirelessly fundraising to help reduce the costs. On top of the students' efforts, the Sixth Form has recently received some fantastic news to help support the venture.

The Bath and District Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) contacted the Sixth Form with the pledge that they would donate a financial contribution towards the cost of the project – welcome news for all involved in the expedition.

The RCS is an educational charity working in Bath and the surrounding area, to help promote international understanding through the vehicle of the modern Commonwealth. It does this by promoting awareness of the Commonwealth, sponsoring educational travel projects and organising Commonwealth-related events, much like the trip organised by the Midsomer Norton Sixth Form.

Tim Chandler, the Midsomer Norton Schools' Partnership Outdoor Education Co-ordinator, commented: "This is an incredibly exciting trip for us and I know the students are looking forward to it massively, albeit with a little trepidation. Seeing first-hand the poverty that exists in the region will be a shock, but we all hope to make a small difference through the work we will be doing. The wonderful donation and ongoing support of the local branch of the Royal and Commonwealth Society is really encouraging and gratefully received."

The 21 students travelling to the Nakuru area of Kenya, North-West of Nairobi, will be spending time working in a school and on other community projects. There will also be an opportunity to travel through the nearby National Park, where they will encounter wildlife, cross the equator and visit the spectacular 'Thompson Falls'.

Tim Chandler concluded by saying: "The students have worked extremely hard over the past year to raise funds for this expedition and are truly thankful to RCS Bath for their financial support which is helping to make this incredible opportunity a reality, not just for a select few, but for all."