These youngsters are hoping people will dig deep to help them pay for a bus so they can go out and about.

Friends of Wyvern Academy has launched an ambitious fundraising project to secure a 17-seater, wheelchair-friendly minibus so the children can go on school trips.

It comes after the charity raised enough for a new sensory garden at the school.

Chairman Gemma Brayshaw said the group looked around for a new project after the garden challenge was complete.

The youngsters do have a bus, provided by the Variety Club, but Gemma said it is ‘at the end of its life’.

“The school’s finances – like every school – are stretched and this bus is something that’s used every day. The children can’t do without it. The Variety Club is match funding, and that leaves us with £10,000 to raise.”

Gemma said the fundraising is expected to take at least a year, but to kickstart the project, the charity is getting in involved in the Heckle and Squelch comedy club evening at Wyke Smugglers on Thursday, November 16.

Provided the event sells out, a percentage of ticket sales will be donated to the charity, and there will also be a raffle and games throughout the evening with money raised going directly to the Friends group.

Prizes include a copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 for Playstation 3, signed by Steven Ogg, who voices the character of Trevor, and a Kingston Maurward family ticket.

Gemma has been fundraising for Wyvern since her son Dexter started school there.

She said: “Sometimes parents can find it difficult to even take their children out into the community, because of the various physical boundaries.

“There’s also the psychological issue for parents - on school trips the teachers are used to taking children out, it’s a huge part of their education.

“We don’t have a strict, traditional curriculum at Wyvern but it’s really important that our children get to experience those parts of the community they would not otherwise get to.”

Performing at the event are Hilary Fox, Sunjai Arif, Adam Money and Mark Simmons. It starts at 8pm. Tickets are available from James Robinson by calling 07966631080.

Any businesses who would like to donate raffle prizes are asked to call Gemma on 07837 541 629.