Caring pupils have travelled more than 4,000 miles around the world to help orphaned children access better educational facilities.

A group of 17 teenagers and two teachers from Marshalls Park School, Pettits Lane, Romford, are in to Nepal to help the Stand By Me charity build an outdoor interactive play classroom.

The facility will be for youngsters who live in an orphanage in Chaukitol.

Headteacher, Neil Frost said: “As a group they have supported one another and matured learning valuable life skills to help them grow as individuals. They are aware that the trip they are about to embark on is going to be both emotionally and physically challenging. A real life changing experience.”

Before the trip, pupils raised funds by going 24-hours without food or shelter and held special nights to raise £15,779 to contribute to the cost of the classroom.

The teenagers, who are expected back from their trip on Wednesday, also prepared for the adventure by learning how to build on a training day at Havering College.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “We are immensely proud of the commitment and dedication our students have shown.”