Six hundred and eighty students from years 7, 8, 9 and 10 took on the challenge as part of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s Summer Superstars!
The Hospice Charity’s initiative, which is principally aimed at secondary schools, was launched in June this year. It challenges students to collectively choose a physically active challenge. The pupils are then tasked with planning and completing the challenge whilst simultaneously generating funds for Arthur Rank Hospice, with different teams taking on a range of organisational tasks, in order to ensure success.
Netherhall School’s students chose a pedometer challenge with each form choosing a target number of steps. For example, one form aimed to clock up the same number of steps that it would take to get from their school gates on Queen Edith’s Way in Cambridge, to Paris. Within 6 weeks, all targets were completely surpassed with students walking the equivalent of 11,200 miles whilst raising £1200!
Their planning in the run up to the challenge was just as impressive: during form time sessions they planned the challenge and dividing the group into team. These included: “The Athletes” who would be the ones to do the physical challenge; “The Media Team” who helped promote the challenge within the school amongst family and friends outside of school; “The Fundraising Team” who came up with ideas and ways to fundraise; and “The Support Team” who helped across all teams to ensure the challenge was completed. As well as encouraging team building and entrepreneurial thinking the challenge had unexpected benefits on a personal level, with students choosing to walk to and from school, be more active during lunchtimes and take the longest route from classroom to classroom!
As a reward for their hard work and in celebration of Arthur Rank Hospice’s Summer Superstars, owner of Clip ‘n Climb on Clifton Road, Chris Walthew, kindly donated a climbing session to the school; enjoyed by a select number of students on the final day of term before the summer holidays began.
Duncan Millar, School Achievement Leader at Netherhall, said: “This was a fantastic project for our students to take part in. It worked on developing a range of skills within forms and provided a focus to get active for a great cause. The students were incredible in working together to fundraise and complete the pedometer challenge. As a prize the winning form got rewarded with a trip to Clip ‘n Climb. This was a real treat for the students, who had a great time pushing themselves on the climbing walls.”
Amongst those deserving a special mention, were Sofie Nielsen (aged 13) who managed 30,000 steps in one day, Sweetha Shibu (aged 12) who raised the most sponsorship of £170 and Emily Calvert (aged 12) who was passionate that the challenge was a success after a close family friend recently received care at the Hospice.
Community Fundraiser, Amy Bidwell who worked closely with the school on the initiative, adds “We were impressed with how much effort the Netherhall School students put into this challenge and how many steps they actually managed. They are a shining example of how students can embrace Summer Superstars and work together to make a real difference to their local community! We’re delighted to be welcoming them back to take part in again next year”
Registrations and enquiries are welcome from schools, individual school classes and organisations for Summer Superstars 2019. The challenge and time frame can be chosen to suit students. Information packs will be available in early Spring.
To register your interest, email challenges@arhc.org.uk or call 01223 675888.