A group of Kingdown School pupils will begin an adventure of a lifetime next Wednesday  when they embark on their journey to Nepal to take on Mount Everest.

The team of 17 pupils from the school in Warminster will climb Everest over Christmas. They are leaving the UK from Heathrow on Wednesday, before arriving in Kathmandu in Nepal on Thursday.

They will then have a couple of free days before flying to Lukla to begin the expedition, which will take place from December 20 to January 1.

The money raised from the trip, being sponsored by Warminster company RACS Group, will go to Dorothy House, Children’s Hospice South West and Louie’s S.M.I.L.E.S.

Kingdown teacher Nick Trimby, who is running the expedition, said: “While there is a bit of nervousness, everyone is looking forward to it. It will be strange for them as they are experiencing all the build up to Christmas, but then they will be heading off and will be away, which is a first for most of them.

“It is an epic challenge and a journey that they will never forget. If they can achieve this, then they can achieve anything in life and I expect they will form a close bond together that will be everlasting.”

Thepupils, aged between 16-18, have spent the last year fundraising for the trek.

RACS Group, whose managing director Terry Hillier is a former pupil at the school, has provided the team with training kit.