YOUNGSTERS from Upton Lovell will have the chance to go on a summer trip this year after a grant of £4,680 was given by the Big Lottery Fund to the Wylye Valley Youth Group Challenge.

The trip will include a visit to the Cardiff International White Water centre for 30 young people aged between 12-17-year-old and an evening flying in two hot air balloons from Tolland Royal in Wiltshire for a further 24 youngsters.

Crichton Wakelin, organiser of the trips, said: “I originally only asked for £1,500 but in the application they asked how much does it cost for the whole project and they basically said we like your bid that much we are going to give you all of the money.

“I’m thrilled because it makes such a difference to these young people.

“We have to keep finding something new and different for them to do and I feel we have to do something where the kid has to say “I can’t do it” because when they do the feeling of achievement is massive.

“I set the challenge up in 2007 and hold it every year in summer as for some kids they don’t the chance to have a summer holiday because they can’t afford it but this grant will pay for them to go.

“We are never short of people who want to go and wouldn’t be able to do it without the fantastic backing of groups like the Big Lottery Fund.”

A total of 70 projects in the south west were awarded a grant, totalling more than £2,447,628.