A GROUP of Barry teenagers are urging local residents and businesses to support them in their bid to raise £5,000 for a school trip to Sri Lanka.

Barry Comprehensive pupils, along with the charity Help Lanka, are travelling to Sri Lanka in July to teach English in a school for two weeks.

The eight youngsters are urging Barry residents and businesses to donate money to help their fundraising, as well as goods for an auction planned for February.

The charity auction will take place on February 11 at Barry Comprehensive, with tickets (priced £4) available from the school this term.

Items already donated to the auction include signed posters of Shane Williams, hair salon vouchers, meal tickets, and make-up.

Christopher Jones, one of the lucky 16-year-olds chosen for the Sri Lanka trip, admitted that competition to get into the group was fierce.

"We had to write a letter saying why we wanted to go, and then we had to have an interview in the conference room," he explained.

"Thirty people applied, then it went down to 16, and after the interviews it went down to the final eight."

It will be the fourth year that Barry Comprehensive has sent pupils to Sri Lanka, and last year, five pupils were chosen for the trip.

Hannah Parker, one of two girls chosen for this year’s visit, said: "It’s going to be amazing to experience different cultures and a new way of life." As well as Christopher and Hannah, the group members are Ben Callow, James Arnold, Michael Walker, Clara Danielson, Joe Hodgson and Caelum Davies.

The youngsters have already raised more than £300 by holding a raffle, and selling tea and cakes after the school’s recent performances of West Side Story.

Lyndsay Allen, one of the teachers leading the group, said: "We are aiming to raise at least £5,000.

"The school in Sri Lanka has 250 pupils, with one class in each year. They have two computers and only one of them works."

To donate money towards the trip call Barry Comprehensive on 01446 411411, email barrycs@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or donate money at the school.

If you have any goods or vouchers that you would be willing to donate to the charity auction, please also contact the school to arrange collection.