Thetford pupil returns from trip of a lifetime

A young Thetford pupil has returned from the trip of a lifetime after spending six weeks in India working with underprivileged families.

Bethany Webb, deputy head girl at Thetford Grammar School, was sponsored to go on the trip by her school through its Peter Large Travel Scholarship which is open to all pupils from year 11 upwards.

The award is named after Peter Large, a former governor of the school who wanted students from Thetford to have the opportunity to see more of the world and to give something back; both to the school and society as a whole.

To receive the award, students have to present their ideas to a panel of governors, and during an interview have the chance to outline their plans and explain how they intend to organise their travel arrangements and accommodation.

On her return, Bethany told the whole school how she spent six weeks living in the town of Ernakulan in the state of Kerala.

While there she helped out at the Ernakulan Save a Family Plan which supports underprivileged mothers and children.

She said: “It was a humbling experience and one I will never forget.”

Last summer the school’s travel scholarship enabled two students, Tom Scarlett and Patrick Conway, to cycle from Bury St Edmunds to Compiegne as part of the school’s links with that part of France.

Their efforts raised money for Help for Heroes. They also took time out to visit the graves of Old Thetfordians who lost their lives in Northern France during both wars.

Two years ago a former Head Boy, Oliver Gill, used the scholarship to organise a charity long distance run through the same region.