I WOULD dearly like to thank Gloscol, Forest of Dean for their extraordinary support for the group of intrepid young explorers who have just returned from the Operation Wallacea project in the Peruvian Amazon.

Six A-level students have worked tirelessly for nearly two years to make the trip happen and the support they received from the college, the local council, local businesses, the Review and the general public was tremendous.

In particular the tutors who worked so hard to make the project happen and escorted them safely there and back.

It was truly beyond the call of duty and driven by the knowledge that the trip would change their perception of the world and the importance of protecting our changing environment.

My daughter was one of the group and it's hard to put into words the effect the trip has had on her.

Suffice to say that her experience has not only aided a vital Amazonian research project but also massively boosted her desire to make a career out of conservation science and ecological management.

Their experiences gained in raising finance, presenting to businesses and following through on such a large project will help them all achieve their goals in life.

In my opinion this was education at it's very, very best.

– Lee Connett, Bream.