Sarah's all set to go into Africa

Sarah Gully, of Plodder Lane, Farnworth, is an enthusiastic member of her school wildlife group and has raised cash along with fellow pupils for projects run by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya for a number of years.

But the 15-year-old Bury Church School pupil had no idea that her Religious Studies teacher and leader of the school wildlife group, Jackie Vet, has arranged a trip for the 11 youngsters to visit Kenya next February.

Jackie managed to keep the plans a secret from the youngsters and surprised them with the news at a birthday party for herself.

The inventive teacher invited all the young members of The Children of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which also includes Holy Cross College students, and their parents to a party at a patisserie and shocked them with details of the action-packed trip.

The youngsters, aged between 12 and 17, will be visiting orphaned elephants and rhinos at the Nairobi nursery, the Tsavo East National Park where older elephants undergo a rehabilitation programme and will also see a windmill, water borehole and lorry which they helped to buy through all their fundraising.

They also will face the challenge of climbing Kenya's highest mountain, Mount Kenya, in an effort to raise more funds for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Jackie managed to raise enough cash to cover the cost of airfares and accommodation thanks to the generosity of parents and Kenyan businesses.

She said: "The group was totally shocked and very excited. They had no idea what I was going to tell them and honestly thought they were just there for my birthday.''

Sarah Gully said: "I was gobsmacked.

"My parents already knew all about the trip and kept it a secret.''

The group has raised £35,000 for projects in Kenya since 1993 and this year they have formed a Young Enterprise group and are offering their services as entertainers in a bid to collect even more cash for the African charity.