Pupils at a Thanet grammar school have lost £60,000 after the shock failure of a charity due to "financial issues".

Sixth formers at Chatham & Clarendon grammar school, Ramsgate, had been actively fundraising for a trip through Childreach International.

The charity offered the youngsters the chance to take part in a expedition to Kilimanjaro through organisation Rare Adventures - which has also collapsed - and they have been working hard to raise the £3,000 target required.

Daisy Naisbitt, who is in Year 13, says it has been "demoralising" and has left her and her classmates feeling "helpless".

The 18-year-old said: "I had raised £2,900, so being so close to the target of £3,460 is obviously very upsetting.

"I know I speak for myself and the others in the group when I say that the past few weeks have been so frustrating and demoralising - having to apologise to all of our families, friends and businesses who have donated their time, money and spaces for events has been so humiliating and we have been left feeling helpless."

The charity failed due to "financial difficulties" and cites on its website that the money raised has been "used to meet charitable objectives.".

Daisy added: "Due to the lack of information we have been given we cannot even confirm that the money donated has been used correctly - and for me that is honestly the worst part about it.

"I donated some of my birthday money towards it and some of my friends have got summer jobs for the sole purpose of raising the funds to donate to such a good cause and to go on this amazing trip of a lifetime, and the fact that this has all just collapsed without any explanation is appalling and mortifying.

"We have been offered alternative charities that are welcoming the people left by Childreach who are running similar trips, however I feel none of us have the energy to raise another £1,700+ when many of us were so close to reaching the Childreach targets.

"We all feel so let down and horrified and I think disappointment is the best word to sum up how we are feeling."

A statement on Childreach International's website says: "As a result of financial difficulties and despite ongoing efforts of all our staff and supporters, Childreach International has made the decision to cease all of it operations with immediate effect."

"We all feel so let down and horrified and I think disappointment is the best word to sum up how we are feeling." - pupil Daisy Naisbitt

The school has raised concerns over what has happened to the pupils' money.

A spokesman for the school said: "We are shocked and upset that after such sterling efforts from so many of our students to raise money for a worthy cause, they find themselves with no expedition as the culmination of their work.

"Over the years, a number of our former students have raised funds and travelled with Childreach International, and we were very pleased that so many of our sixth-formers were planning to travel with the organisation once they had completed their exams and left school this year.

"We have not received any more detailed information from Childreach than the fundraisers themselves have had, and are very troubled in pondering where the monies have gone.

"According to the Childreach website, the funds have gone to worthy causes, but as we only have their word for this we are glad to have our local MP Craig Mackinlay looking into matters on the students' behalf.

"We will be meeting the students affected, and working with them to see how they wish to proceed.

"An alternative charity expedition is possible, with hefty discounts for former Childreach fundraisers, but given that it would still require further fundraising we will be sure to support the students in putting their studies first."

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has called on the Childreach International's CEO, Firoz Patel, to meet with him at Westminster at the earliest opportunity to explain the situation.

Mr Mackinlay is calling on those affected by the collapse to contact him in a bid to resolve the issue -which he says is "enormously worrying".

He said: "I am appealing for all affected to get in touch and I have requested that the CEO come to Westminster with explanations.

"The situation facing local youngsters has really angered me and I intend to raise the issue with ministers and the charity commission.

"Two two entities are hugely intertwined through the CEO of Childreach International, and the published accounts show both entities to have been in poor financial health for some time.

"The charity as per their August 31 2016 accounts shows a negative balance sheet and expenditure in excess of income, with a worrying large proportion of income - 39% spent on advertising, promotion and salaries."

The government's Charity Commission say it will be working with the charity's trustees to minimise disruption,

A spokesman for the Charity Commission said: "Sadly, charities are on occasion forced to close as a result of financial pressures.

"Childreach International has informed the Charity Commission that is plans to wind-up the charity.

"We will be engaging with the charity's trustees on this matter to assess the events that have led to this outcome, and to ensure that they fulfil their duties and responsibilities in ensuring an orderly wind-up process, managing and minimising disruption to their services and beneficiaries, and dealing with any remaining charitable assets appropriately."

Rare Adventures, the organisation the trips were run through, says the body was forced to cease trading with immediate effect, also due to "financial difficulties" after the failing of the charity Childrach International.

"Childreach International's decision has been devastating for us" - Rare Adventures

A statement on its website says: "Rare Adventures have no received any payment whatsoever from Childreach International for any student trip in the season 2017/18 and have no prospect of receiving such given the insolvent status of Childreach.

"Rare Adventures therefore has no alternative than to cease trading.

"Childreach International's decision has been devastating for us.

"We recognise and share the disappointment, loss and frustration that so any will express.

"We have appointed professional Insolvency Practitioners who will be managing our liquidation and who will communicate with creditors in due course.

"Notwithstanding the terminal impact these events will have, with all our people losing their jobs; our staff have pledged to speak to our competitors and supply chain to see if we can facilitate a way for all our charity partners' participant to travel."