BOLSOVER: Meeting the elephants on African trip

The 30 students from five Bolsover schools will spend six days installing a jungle gym, climbing frames and swings outside Namibia’s A. Gariseb Primary School.

They will then spend four days trekking across wetlands, gorges and rocky terrain before enjoying a gala night and flying home.

The youngsters may be in for gruelling work in the Namib Desert - the world’s oldest - but they will take huge satisfaction from transforming children’s lives, according to organisers.

North Wingfield GP Dr Steve Lloyd has spent the last decade volunteering with the British Exploring Society (BES), which is leading the expedition for project organisers NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group and Derbyshire County Council.

“The BES has opened up a world of opportunity to children and young people from challenged and deprived backgrounds,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to be involved with a charity which has made such a positive difference to so many lives – both at home and abroad.”

The Bolsover students have already raised £25,000 but need another £50,000 to meet the entire cost of the expedition.

Call Charles Malkin on 01246 514971 or email [email protected] if you can help with sponsorship.