THIRTEEN pupils from The Romsey School will embark on a two-week trip to Finland next year in a bid to build leadership and personal development.

Responsible for raising their own funds, all of the participants are taking part in a variety of sponsored activities, organising events and going out into their communities to raise cash.

Six of the team, together with three Romsey School staff recently took part in the New Forest Spring Sportive, a 30-mile cycle around the New Forest.

Setting off from Ringwood, they were one of few without road bikes and bespoke cycling gear.

Expedition leader Steve Stannard said: "We were given lots of strange looks and received the occasional comment about our bikes.

"We managed to get round the circuit in less than four hours, which was respectable considering some of our team hadn't done much riding before.

"Between them, the team managed to raise just over £1,000 which was a fantastic achievement and testament to their ongoing commitment."