A GROUP of students from Norton College have started fundraising towards an expedition to support communities in a remote part of the world.

The six pupils, Lily Dade, Lily May, Britt Wheldon, Amy Timms, Luca Craggs and James Rogers, are travelling to Borneo in South East Asia in July.

They have a target of £4,000 each to take part in the month-long expedition to support local communities and wildlife.

Luca said: "We hope to pay for our trip through hard work and fundraising, of which 39 per cent will go directly to the communities that we visit and help.

"Borneo has a huge problem with deforestation which in turn affects the local people and the endangered orangutan population. Only 50,000 orangutans are now on the plant and their numbers are being depleted at a staggering rate."

James said: "Communities face many challenges such as access to education and public health issues and we hope that our visit can go some way to making a difference.

"We have plans to fundraise for the next 12 months and events will include car washes, quiz nights, bag packing and much more, so please watch out for our local events."

Their next fundraiser is a car wash at SC Bainbridge Funeral Directors, in Malton, on Saturday.

The group is also organising a quiz night at Norton College on September 24, at 7pm. There will be a pie and peas supper, tombola and prizes.

Tickets are available from Norton College and SC Bainbridge Funeral Directors or phone 07837 612332. The group also has a Just Giving page at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Nortonborneo2017