TWENTY Year 11 students from Dowdales School in Dalton have embarked on a fortnight long adventure to Nepal.

Each student had to raise £2,000 as part of the World Challenge expedition, which will see them trek for six days in the Annapurna region of the Himalayan foothills - reaching a high point of 3,200 metres.

But the fund-raising turned out to be as big a challenge.

Preparations have included a three hour training evening and an expedition weekend where students put their new equipment to the test and developed the skills they will need in Nepal.

"Individual determination on the part of students to raise the necessary funding for this expedition has certainly been matched by the excellent support they have had from community sponsors," said head teacher Julie O’Connor.

Trip leader David Bowns added: "After all the hard work the students and staff have put into this trip, and the wonderful support we’ve had, I’m sure that this trip will be an amazing experience and one the students will never forget.”

The students set off last Friday and will return on November 1.