THE latest Ray Collins Trust event involved children who had never seen the sea being taken on an old-fashioned day out to the seaside.

Earlier this month, a luxury 85-seater coach took a group of 20 local families to Southsea, in Portsmouth, where they enjoyed the classic seaside experience.

Fish and chips, ice cream, crazy golf, arcades and more were on offer to some 50 children, aged between a few months old and 17.

The trip will be the only holiday of the year for most of the families - and the first ever for some, according to Mr Collins.

He said: "One young lad asked me: 'Is that really the sea?'

I replied 'yes' and the boy shrieked: 'Oh wow!'

Mr Collins continued: "What a fantastic seaside trip we had. I think the trustees had as much fun as the the families.

"Last year we took the families to Cotswold Life Park, whilst walking around I asked the children where they would like to go this year. Several children asked to go to the seaside - as they had never seen the sea, which really surprised me - so the we decided there and then that a seaside trip was definitely happening this year.

"I don't think it matters how old or young you are there is always something magical about going to the seaside, add in fish and chips and you have the perfect day."

The trust, which supports a range of good causes in the Wantage area, put on a range of events for locals each year. Last month it took a group of isolated people to Waddesdon Manor.

In Southsea, it organised vouchers for the families to eat when they liked, with pizza and hot dogs also on the menu.

Many made the most of the warm weather to have a dip, while others toured the arcades, sat on the beach, played crazy golf and enjoyed the funfair rides.

Visitor Kerry Wilkinson said: "The children and I would like to say a huge thank you for our day trip to Southsea. We had a fantastic day and made forever memories."

Fellow attendee Karren Linney added: "We all had a brilliant time."

The Trust was able to organise the day out through funds raised at a number of events, including the Wantage Carnival.

Mr Collins said: "We put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces, especially little ones, and that is what 'making a real difference in our community' is all about."

The Trust say they have a number of events coming up in the coming few months.