Student Pamela Spilsbury, 19, is setting off from her home in Horse and Groom Lane for a 12 week trip to the Rockies and the Appalachian Mountains in the USA. She will be taking part in Operation Raleigh and is hoping to do some sea diving off the East Coast. She has been preparing for the trip by training with the sub-aqua club at Felsted School.

A former pupil at Great Baddow School, Pamela plans to study Biology. She is also a keen sportswoman and plays hockey for Chelmsford. Funds for her trip have been raised by her former headmaster, friends, college students and a local charity.