Winning pupils net trip of a lifetime (From Stroud News and Journal)

Winning pupils net trip of a lifetime

THE phenomenal success of Stroud High School pupils in raising more than £11,000 for the Philippines Trust earlier this year has won them a trip to India.

A group of the girls went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the G-Nation Awards 2004 at 11 Downing Street on Tuesday, October 12.

The kind-hearted pupils were amazed to hear they had beaten ten other schools from across the UK to net the top prize of a trip to India with Save the Children and Giving Nation in February.

During the presentation lucky youngsters met pop idols Liberty X and Miquita Oliver along with Government ministers David Milliband, Fiona Mactaggart and John Healey. They then took a flight on the British Airways London Eye.

Pupil Claire Matthews, 15, gave a nerve-wracking acceptance speech in front of assembled dignitaries and TV cameras.

"I was shaking like a leaf," she said. "There were just five of us there but the whole school did this together, which makes it really special. It was the best day of my life." Pal Harriet Cansino, 15, added: "I have always been interested in politics and it was just a phenomenal experience."

Each school attending the awards had submitted a charity video diary at the end of the summer term which was then judged by region by a panel made up of charities and last year's winners.

Proud High School head Jo Grills said: "They had such a wonderful day and we are so proud of them. "It is a really major thing to win and we are obviously very pleased."

At Stroud High, each pupil was given £1 with the aim to at least double that amount through innovative fundraising and the school raised over £11,000 for the Philippines Trust.

Giving Nation (G-Nation) engages young people in charity through their schools and aims to boost their understanding of charity's role in the UK.