THREE grammar school students have launched their own website in a bid to attract sponsors for their life-changing trek in Africa next summer.

Ilkley Grammar School students Emily Hodgson, Sarah Birtwhistle and Izzy Wilson are among 20 students hoping to trek through jungle, bush and desert in Zambia and Botswana as part of an educational trip next year.

The World Challenge expedition will also see the party carry out work for a rural community, helping to rebuild a school or another community building.

They do not know as yet which village they will be sent to.

But before they go, each student taking part has to raise his or her own money for the trip. Twelve of the students recently packed bags for shoppers at the Marks and Spencer store in Guiseley, and their other activities have included a fundraising disco, recycling old mobile phones, holding school quiz nights and organising sponsored walks.

But Emily, Sarah and Izzy have also gone online in a bid to raise the £3,500 each they need to meet their goals.

They said: "We want to go on this expedition to bring some real help to a small community in Africa - but also to gain some fantastic skills and experience from the trip. It will be a challenge in more ways than one. We are all more used to shopping than trekking through jungles and deserts."

The girls will also need to have eight vaccinations ready for their trip - said to be an extra challenge to Emily, who is scared of needles.

The money they raise will not only go towards the trip next summer. Twenty per cent of the money they raise will be given to the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care.

A list of their current sponsors appears on the website, and companies and organisations are invited to get in touch if interested in sponsoring the three.

The website can be found at (www.ourworldchallenge.org.uk). More information is available by calling 07717697208 or sending an e-mail to (nh0501@blueyonder.co.uk).