FLYING THE FLAG: The sextet of local orienteers heading for Israel, from the left, Laura Lancaster, Johnny Kendall, Tim Bean, Thomas Van Rossum, Matthew Speake and Heather Gardner

Young orienteers from York face a race against time if they are to take part in the World Schools Championships.

The six teenagers need to raise £450 each to join the British squad in Israel from April 12 to 18.

Five 16-year-olds from York College - Jonathan Kendall, Tim Bean, Thomas Van Rossum, Matthew Speake and Heather Gardner - and Laura Lancaster, from Acomb and who attends the Mount School, have all been selected for the prestigious event.

The York College runners, Kendall and Bean (both ex-Archbishop Holgate), Van Rossum (Temple Moor, Leeds), Matthew Speake (Joseph Rowntree) and Heather Gardner (Woldgate, Pocklington), formed the team which won the Tertiary Colleges national title.

And Kendall, the current British Individual championship title holder said: "We are all really motivated to achieve a good position against the many other countries who will be represented.

"The competition will be the most challenging we have come across and we are looking forward to getting some good runs.

"It's a brilliant opportunity for us all and we have worked hard to get picked for the Great Britain Schools team."

The students need to raise £450 each to pay for the trip and they are currently busy writing letters to local companies and organisations asking for assistance.

Team coach Helen Gardner said: "I do not want the students to be worried about raising the cash. I want them to enjoy the experience of representing Great Britain."

If any local business or organisation can make a contribution towards getting the orienteering team on their way to Israel, please contact Helen Gardner at York College (01904 701816).

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