A youth charity is appealing to people to give the gift of adventure to schoolchildren in Nottinghamshire this Christmas and help it ensure than no child misses out on a residential school trip.

With the gap between rich and poor widening and more families falling into poverty, more children than ever are missing out because their parents cannot afford a school trip.

YHA (England & Wales) now wants to raise £50,000 to provide 600 children, who can’t afford to take part in a residential school trip, with a fully-funded two-night residential that includes outdoor activities and meals.

Explaining the importance of ensuring every child has the opportunity to have a residential school trip, Wayne Norrie, chief executive of Greenwood Academies Trust, which has a number of academies in Nottinghamshire The Mansfield Primary Academy, said: “When children participate in a residential visit they benefit in so many ways.

“Visits increase a child’s confidence, develops their independence, aids their social skills and gives them an opportunity to experience an environment different to the one they are familiar with. These are all vital life skills, and it is so important that all children are offered access to visits not just those who have a family that can afford it.”

Schools that are in the top 10 of most deprived areas and have experienced the greatest growth in child poverty over the past five years will benefit from YHA’s Christmas fundraising campaign.

To donate to YHA’s Christmas fundraising campaign, visit http://www.yha.org.uk/give/christmas-appeal