UK students who paid thousands of pounds for summer and gap year placements on overseas conservation projects have lost everything after their eco tour operator shut down.
GVI, which offered volunteer and internship placements on wildlife and marine projects across the world, was continuing to advertise trips until it went into liquidation and removed its website on 1 July.
Scores of school leavers and gap year students were informed by email that their placements would not go ahead and that no refunds would be offered. Some had saved for years and given up jobs in order to take part.
Clara Denton* paid over £10,000 for a placement year as an apprentice on a South African game reserve. She was due to start in September. “I’ve missed…