AN ENTHUSIASTIC group of young carers and pupils in the nurture group from Bethany School, Bournemouth, enjoyed a day out at the New Forest Wildlife Park all thanks to Variety The Children’s Charity.

The visit to the park at Ashhurst near Southampton, organised by Variety Wessex, proved to be a big success.

The youngsters were fascinated by the animals and birds, which were particularly active during their visit.

A cheeky ferret popped out to take a look at the visitors and the wild boar, his sow and piglets all came out for a grub around to the delight of everyone.

Frances Cornelius, chair of Variety Wessex said: “Thank you Carol Heap, your family and staff at The New Forest Wildlife Park for ensuring Variety Wessex children always enjoy visiting your wonderful animals and birds. We’ve been taking children there for over 24 years.

“Thanks too to Variety Wessex committee members Judy, Avril and Jenny for accompanying the group and to Brian Upton for donating teddy bears for the children to take home”.

Liz Rawson-Jones, pastoral lead at Bethany School said: “Thank you for the incredible day we have just had at The New Forest Wildlife Park.

“The weather was a little hit and miss with a few showers but that did not dampen the spirits of the children or the animals.

“It was lovely to see the children’s reactions to the animals from howling with the wolves to being inches away from the deer, watching the piglets with their parents in all the mud to the otters standing up chattering away. It was awesome.

“Some of the children have only been at Bethany for a few weeks and to be able to take them out of school on a trip after all they have been through over the last 18 months felt amazing.”