STUDENTS at Mark College have set themselves a challenge of raising �15,000 to support the work of an education scheme for developing countries.

Room to Read partners with communities across the developing world to promote literacy and gender equality in education by building libraries and classrooms, training educators and supporting girls’ education.

Ten students from Mark College, in Blackford Road, Highbridge, will visit Sri Lanka in July to see first hand how Room to Read works and how the thousands of pounds they have raised is being spent.

Mark College is a specialist residential school for boys and girls aged 10 to 19 with specific learning difficulties including language disorders, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

Michelle Whitham Jones, principal at Mark College, said: “Our students have difficulties with language but are lucky enough to be able to access the specialised and expert care and education at Mark College.

“Many young people across the world do not have the same educational opportunities and this touched our students and encouraged them to do something positive to help.

“The college will be holding a series of fund raising events over the next few months to assist with this important work.”