FOUR members of Chipping Campden School’s leadership team have set themselves a gruelling physical challenge to tackle school funding issues.

Principal John Sanderson, assistant principals Mr Rushworth and Mr Hilditch, and pastoral manager Mr Skinner have decided to ‘walk the talk’ of the school’s motto ‘inspired to learn, empowered to excel’ – by undertaking a 26 mile marathon trek ascending and descending the 15 Welsh peaks that measure over 3000 feet high, aiming to complete it in under 24 hours.

A challenge known as ‘The Welsh 3000s’.

Initially the fundraising/JustGiving page target was £3,000 but this was smashed within the first fortnight of the event being announced, so with the hard work still to come and many more excellent projects needing funding, a new more ambitious target was set – to raise £6,000. Every penny of which will go directly to benefit students at the school, now and for the future.

To keep their kit as light as possible they won’t be sleeping in tents as they wait to start their challenge at sunrise from the peak of Mount Snowdon on the 1st June, but just in sleeping bags on the rocky summit, where temperatures could feel as cold as zero degrees! They will walk continuously for the whole 24 hours, only stopping to rest briefly and eat.

Training techniques used by the participants have included chopping logs, bicycle riding (only in the sunshine though) and the mental exertion of spending time supporting the many students who are facing GSCE and ‘A’ Level exams in the coming weeks!

John Sanderson wrote to parents to outline why they, as Senior Leaders felt they needed to show that it wasn’t just students and their families who were contributing to the School’s funds by going ‘above and beyond in their Leadership. He says: “We continuously strive to offer a broad and varied curriculum, as well as a wide range of enrichment opportunities for our young people. However, funding for these opportunities continues to be a challenge; with Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Schools still among some of the worst funded schools in the country. We are lucky to have the wonderful Chipping Campden Parents’ Association that regularly raise significant funds for the School, however, they can’t possibly address this challenge alone, so last year we launched The 1440 Fund. Evoking the spirt of philanthropy demonstrated by the school’s founders, Fereby, Hicks and Townsend we want to play our part by undertaking this physical challenge. We are enormously appreciative of all those who have donated so generously so far.”

The event, recognised to be one of the toughest endurance challenges in Britain, takes place over the weekend 31stMay – 2nd of June. Follow @CampdenHead for updates during the event. Sponsorship by businesses would also be welcomed.

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/chipping-campdens/campden1440trek