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Bedwas High School is holding its first-ever summer fair this weekend to raise money for a trip to South Africa.

The event, which is being held between 10am and 4pm on Saturday June 29, will include food and craft stalls, games, a raffle, and more.

Entry costs £1, with free entry for children under the age of eight.

The trip is being organised by science teacher Bethmi Tikiribandara, who said the trip will give pupils “the opportunity to study conservation methods in a real-life context, see the Big Five [lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos] in their natural habitat, take part in a beach clean-up and assist in a local primary school”.

Ms Tikiribandara continued: “As you can imagine, this will be an incredible opportunity for them but it is also going to be very expensive, especially in the current economic climate.”

So far, pupils have organised numerous fundraising activities throughout the school year to raise funds, including bag-packing, raffles, bake sales, and a winter fair, as well as setting up an online fundraiser.

They also took part in a five-hour, ten-mile walk from Cardiff Castle to Caerphilly Castle as part of their fundraising efforts.

Ms Tikiribandara added: “Working towards raising the money themselves will be a valuable lesson in resilience, perseverance and confidence.

“Owning this trip will only make the experience better for the pupils and it is genuinely one of the few once-in-a-lifetime opportunities available. For some of our pupils, it will be the first time they leave the country.”