A GROUP of youngsters are going on safari... thanks to a cash windfall from the Making a Difference campaign.

Children at Tiddlywinks playgroup have been studying animals this term and head supervisor, Brenda Chambers, thought it would be a great idea to take them to a zoo or safari park.

So she applied for £200 from the Making a Difference campaign, which shares out £1,000 each month to clubs, groups and charities.

Now, thanks to the Evening News and Worcester Round Table, who are behind the scheme, the youngsters, aged two-and-a-half to five years old, will be donning their safari hats and setting off on their adventure.

"We were absolutely thrilled to bits when we found out we'd been awarded the money," said Mrs Chambers, who runs the group with five other helpers.

"The children are really excited about going on their trip. They don't really understand about the money but they know they're going to see some animals - they like all sorts of animals, especially ones that make a noise!"

Craftwork

The 21 children attend the pre-school playgroup five mornings a week, at the Redhill Social Club, in Foxwell Street, Worcester.

They get up to "all the usual things" such as art and craftwork, PE, cooking, singing, music, dance and drama.

They do go on several trips, but money is always a problem, especially as many of the parents already pay to send their child to the playgroup.

Consultation on the precise venue for the trip is still to be carried out with parents but it will probably be a trip to the West Midland Safari Park, in Bewdley or Dudley Zoo.

"The children have been drawing lots of pictures of animals this term, as well as reading and listening to stories about animals, and singing songs.

"They are so excited about the fact they are actually going to see some real animals!

"In fact, they have made a little 'thank you' card to give to the Round Table and the Evening News.

"They are really thrilled."