A GROUP of Bury students were stunned into silence when they learned they would be going on a trip to Kenya next February.

The 11 students from Bury C of E High School and Holy Cross College were wide-eyed with disbelief when teacher Jackie Vet revealed they would be spending two weeks visiting wildlife parks, meeting Kenyan schoolchildren and going on safari.

The youngsters are members of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and since the group started in 1993 they have raised a grand total of £35,000 for their charity project in Kenya.

They will visit the orphaned elephants and rhinos they have helped at the Nairobi nursery and tour the Tsavo National Park, where older elephants undergo rehabilitation. They plan to see a recently acquired windmill, water borehole and lorry. The students have also donated books and stationery to the Voi Education Centre and will be meeting up with the Kenyan schoolchildren. The group will not be taking a break from their fund-raising work as they will also be climbing Mt. Kenya's Pl. Lenana Peak, Kenya's highest mountain which stands 4,985 metres above sea level, to raise more cash.

Conservationist Daphne Sheldrick said in her message to the children on their special night, that their example was a beacon for all:

"When you see your windmills working and understand just what a difference they have made to the lives of a multitude of different wild species, I know that the magnitude of what you have been able to achieve will envelop you."

Steve Leonard of "Vets in Practice" and "Vets in the Wild" also sent his good wishes and words of encouragement for the group.

Stef Woodward (15) who is the managing director of their Young Enterprise group expressed her surprise:

"I was only saying to the teachers at Elms Bank High School when we visited them in June that the closest I was ever likely to get to an elephant was when we had our VIP visit to Knowsley Safari Park and now look what's happened. I can hardly believe it!"

Mrs Vet, a religious education teacher at Bury C. of E. High School, said: "With contributions from parents towards airfares, and hotel and ground transportation very generously taken care of by supportive Kenyan companies, we are well on our way with preparations for this exciting and challenging trip.

Mrs Vet added that she hoped local companies would help the group find the rest of the sponsorship they need to cover other essentials such as park fees, insurance, clothing and equipment for the climb.

Anyone wishing to know more about the children's work, the trip or who would like to sponsor the trip should contact Jackie Vet at Bury C. of E. High School, Haslam Brow, Bury, BL9 OTS or telephone 761 3010.