A Southend student has been waved on his way by pupils from his old school as he prepared for a trip of a lifetime to Borneo.

Waving goodbye - Justin says farewell to pupils at his old school. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 66AJ91

Pupils at Bournemouth Park School raised hundreds of pounds to help fund Justin Gent's trip by holding a special school disco.

Justin, 18, of Wimborne Road, is using his gap-year before university to work as a conservation volunteer.

He is heading for the rainforest-laden island on January 21, having collected £3,000 for the charity, International Scientific Support Trust, which works in animal welfare and rehabilitation.

Published Monday January 14, 2002