A FIVE-DAY trek through the Central American rainforest and a mission helping deprived communities was the challenges that faced 24 young people from St Helens.

The squad set out for western Nicaragua as part of The St Helens Young Leadership Challenge a fortnight ago.

The challenge – open to 16 to 19-year-olds in full and part-time education or employment - is aimed at helping young people develop leadership skills.

The scheme is supported by St Helens Chamber’s Enterprising St Helens Initiative and global charity Raleigh International.

Our young leaders have helped local social enterprise co-operatives which grow Fairtrade products by getting involved in community work.

Group leader Martin Foulkes, Enterprising St Helens manager, said: “We ran this challenge for the first time in 2009, with an expedition to southern India, and it proved a huge success.”

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, with almost one fifth of the country designated as protected areas – such as national parks and natural and biological reserves.

Martin added: “We hope this challenge will prove to be just as successful as last year, if not more so.

“It will provide a fantastic opportunity for young people from the borough to be part of something they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do.”

On their return the students will present the skills they have learned and their experiences to the partners who have contributed to the programme.

A Facebook group has been set up to allow people in the UK to follow the group’s progress.

The group will be keeping the page updated, and keep track of their trek at facebook.com/enterprisingsthelens.