TWO Priestley College students have been helping children from Loushers Lane School to have a fun-packed outdoor pursuits holiday.

Lisa Williams from Birchwood and Alex Gibson from Orford went on the five-day trip to the Calvert Trust Centre in Keswick with young people with a range of disabilities.

The centre is designed specifically to cater for all needs, from those with cerebral palsy to behavioural problems, and from able-bodied youngsters to the physically disabled.

Lisa and Alex assisted with a number of activities such as orienteering, swimming, night walks, canoeing, assault course and climbing, alongside encouraging the children to undertake tasks themselves.

"It gave me satisfaction that I was able to help people," said Lisa. "It was rewarding to see how happy you can make them, even just by listening to the youngsters.

"I learned how to know their needs, and be more sympathetic towards them."

Alex echoed those sentiments, saying: "Helping the students from Loushers Lane School made me more tolerant of disabled people. My perception of disabled people is now very different to before I went away."

Lisa aims to go into the police force to work for child protection.

She said: "I feel that the experiences which I have gained from this week have given me an invaluable insight into working with children."

Alex is also hoping to put what she learned into practice as she is intending to assist on the Camp America scheme next year.

She said: "I now understand disabled people a great deal more, and this week has provided me with a taster of what it will be like next year."