A GROUP of Weymouth schoolchildren are raising money for a trip of a lifetime to help Romanian street children.

The Buddies of Romania - 12 Wey Valley students - are planning the ground-breaking trip for October and have been busy fundraising to reach the £3,000 target they hope to take out with them to spend on projects for the children.

The team will work alongside Romanian organisations including the Hungarian Reformed Church and ASKZA Children's Mission Home, who work to provide a home for homeless children and give them an education. They also hope to form links with local school Constantin Brancusi Elementary.

Two of the adults going on the trip, Wey Valley teacher Andy Dukes and police sergeant Tony Smith, spent 24 hours locked in a police cell as part of the fundraising.

Mr Dukes said as well as helping out the Romanian children, where the problems are 'massive', he hopes to educate Weymouth youngsters about other cultures, adding: "We want to build up links with the school, but we also want to build understanding levels with our pupils.

"I've noticed that there are a lot of bigoted attitudes within people in young people in Weymouth and they are often borne out of ignorance, so there is no better way to open their eyes than to take them out there.

"Weymouth isn't very culturally diverse at the moment but it is getting more so, and there are more people from Eastern Europe coming here. Hopefully, when the group come back they will share their experiences with other students and raise awareness."

Activities will include a camp, where the Wey Valley pupils will lead in problem-solving exercises and games - what Sgt Smith describes as turning the children 'from pupils into teachers'.

A street collection in the town centre, aided by a Dorchester choir, raised £267 towards the funds, and other fundraising events have also taken place including a raffle, bingo and collections.

The youngsters will be accompanied by six adults and will spend 12 days in the town of Cluj, Transylvania.

To make a donation for the Buddies of Romania trip, contact funds co-ordinator Julie Hursthouse on 01305 815379 or 07980 730029.