Pupils from three North East primary schools will travel to the USA to compete in the largest robotics competition in the world.
Students from Bill Quay Primary School and Wardley Primary School, both in Gateshead, and Pelton Community Primary School in Pelton, County Durham, will attend the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas.
The three schools are among nine from the UK which will attend the event in May. Parents and students have undertaken enormous fundraising efforts in order to cover the cost of the trip.
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Bill Quay Primary School’s VEX Robotics team, made up of students aged nine-11 years old, have taken part in a number of VEX IQ competitions in the North East in 2022 and 2023.
They won the Judge's Awards for Sportsmanship by showing respect and admiration to the volunteers and other teams at the VEX competitions.
They were recognised for being courteous, helpful and respectful to everyone at the event and were described by officials as "a model for all to follow as team members exemplify the spirit of friendly collaboration and cooperation".
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne visited Bill Quay Primary School to meet the VEX Robotics team ahead of their departure. She has described the trip as a "fantastic achievement" for the students.
She said: "It truly is a testament to their teacher Mrs Dye and work put in by the school to ensure the children are afforded such a brilliant opportunity. It’s so exciting for the children, not only competing on an international level - but representing the UK in the opening ceremony as well!
"The whole community is absolutely backing the school in their fundraising efforts, with donations big and small coming from so many different areas - from The Reece Foundation, to smaller local businesses providing banners for the team to take out there.
"This is such a brilliant opportunity for the children, the school and our region - to demonstrate the incredible talent we have here in the Jarrow constituency and the North East.
"I wish Team Bill Quay the very best of luck in the competition - we are all so proud already!"
More than £25,000 has been raised on Go Fund Me to send the team from Bill Quay Primary to the event.
The school has worked closely with The Reece Foundation, who have been the largest donor so far. They have donated £16,000 to help meet the costs associated with the competition.
Fundraising pages have also been created to help Pelton Community Primary School and Wardley Primary School attend the competition.
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