Luke Mynott and Alaurah Pinder, from Spencer House, Wells, will be getting a life-changing opportunity when they join the Inner Journey Project travelling around Kwazulu Natal in South Africa for 25 days.

The project starts in July and includes anti-poaching patrols, a visit to an HIV and Aids clinic and a five-day wilderness mountain trail in the outback.

Spencer House is run by Mendip YMCA and provides supported housing for vulnerable young people in eight bedsits. Mendip

Sam Blacker, resident support worker at the Mendip YMCA, said: "An opportunity like this comes along rarely, and can help a disadvantaged young person understand themselves and their own culture by comparing them to other people's lives.

"This project has only been possible with the generous donations of local businesses and also the kind support of the Wells Blue Sports Centre whose fitness instructors are training the candidates so they can cope with the gruelling trail that lies ahead."