KEEN students from Priestley College are busy raising money for the trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica.

A sponsored car wash has been the latest in a string of events held to raise funds for the Costa Rica World Challenge Expedition in 2002, where the students will construct huts by day and watch nesting turtles by night.

The trip will be an environmental study and the students will work with local communities in the Orosi Valley, assisting with teaching and construction.

Simon Ogunlana, from Locking Stumps, who is currently studying AS levels in chemistry, maths, biology and psychology, is one of the students who is going to take part in the trip.

"I'm hoping to experience more of the world on this visit, through the different cultures I encounter and the ways in which people live," he said.

Simon is hoping to put what he learns on the visit into practice, as he aims to become a doctor.

Cheryl Hill, from Birchwood, who is studying AS levels in law, psychology, biology and German, is looking forward to walking through the jungle, ascending volcanoes and helping to conserve leatherback turtles.

The students' other fundraising events include bag packing at Asda Cockhedge, a raffle for a basket of chocolate, a treasure hunt, a quiz night and a car boot sale.