Pupils at a Malvern school are putting their best feet forward for charity.
A team of 41 pupils, teachers and families from St Matthias CE Primary School in Malvern are taking part in this year’s St Richard’s Hospice Malvern Hills Walk for the second year running.
The annual event – which saw 600 people don their walking boots last year – is taking place on Saturday 20 May.
The school’s challenge was the brainchild of Deputy Headteacher Mrs Ginnie Beale; the team will be taking on the event’s five mile circular route, one of the three routes available. There is also a longer 11 mile route with spectacular views from the Malvern Hills ridge line as well as a family friendly two mile route.
Mrs Beale said : “St Matthias is pleased to be able to aid St Richard’s Hospice again by taking part in the Malvern Hills walk 2017. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to support a charity which has helped so many families in the local area and has touched many of us at St Matthias. It is also an excellent chance to encourage the children at St Matthias to keep healthy and walk on the Malvern Hills which are beautiful and so close. As a school we have agreed to pay the entrance fee for the children who are taking part from St Matthias and are pleased so many are taking up this opportunity again this year. We are also extremely grateful to our local Co-op in Malvern Link for donating water bottles to everyone from St Matthias. If the weather is as good as it was last year we will certainly need to keep hydrated! Last year we raised a fabulous £515.35 and are hoping to beat that this year!”
To donate to the pupil’s fund, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/St-Matthias-Primary-School1.
The event is being sponsored by Bloor Homes.
Registrations for the 11 mile walk have now closed. Registrations are still open for the two and five mile routes, with walkers able to register on the day at 9.00am.
The two and five mile routes start at 10.00am from Black Hills car park, are circular and perfect for families. The 11mile route commences at 8.00am from North Quarry car park with walkers walking the length of the Malvern Hills from Chase End. Post walk, coaches will be on hand from North Quarry car park to Chase End.
In the past, groups of walkers have been made up of friends, families, organisations, schools and individuals who enjoy a day of spectacular views.
Jayne Sargeant, Community Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice said: “We are delighted to welcome back the St Matthias school community to this wonderful event. Such enthusiasm and dedication is admirable and we are, as ever, very grateful for such valuable support. We wish them well on the day, hope the sun will shine and that all our walkers will enjoy the beautiful surroundings.”
Last year, the event raised a staggering £23,000. It is one of the hospice’s most popular events and has been running since the charity was launched in 1984. All those taking part pledge to raise a minimum of £50.
There are entrance fees of £10 for adults and £5 for under 16 years.