BLIND and partially sighted students are taking part in a long-distance swim to raise money for a challenging expedition to central America.

Seventeen students from RNIB New College will be taking part in the Costa Rica adventure next year.

Last Friday, they started swimming the distance of the English Channel to raise some of the money needed.

The sponsored swim, which finished on Saturday, involved a team of 20 taking it in turns to complete 1,600 laps, and was started by Worcester Rugby Club players Dan Zaltzman and Werner Swanepoel at the school's swimming pool.

The cost of the once-in-a-lifetime trip is £1,600 per pupil and they are hoping to raise the majority through sponsorship.

"The expedition is going to be a fantastic experience for them," said Stuart Snowdon, a geography teacher at the Whittington Road school and organiser of the trip.

"It's going to be two weeks at Easter where they will be visiting the Cloud Forest region and going to a rainforest.

"They'll be walking through the canopy at the same level as the birds. Those who can see will be able to observe and those who can't will experience the sounds and smells."

The 14 to 17-year-olds will also be visiting an active volcano and thermal pools and staying with a Costa Rican family on a rural farm.

"What we're all looking forward to is going to the beach when the giant turtles lay their eggs," said Mr Snowdon.

"They're going to come away with fantastic experiences."

The expedition came about after Mr Snowdon's geography class said they wanted to visit a volcano.

He saw an article about a school that had visited Costa Rica and the expedition snowballed from there.

Three students have also parachuted with the Red Devils to raise money for the trip.

"They had a fabulous time," said Mr Snowdon. "We hope more of them will be able to do it in the next school year."

If anyone wants to sponsor any of the pupils taking part in the expedition, call Stuart Snowdon at RNIB New College on 01905 763933 or email snowdon@rnibncw.demon.

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