Grand total

An impressive £3911.54 was the final amount collected by staff, parents, pupils and other participants from across the county who took part in a sponsored event to raise funds for Austwick, Clapham and Horton primary schools’ confederation.
The event, held on 20^th April, was blessed by glorious springlike weather amid days of rain and grey skies before and after.  It was supported by horse riders, cyclists, walkers and runners from around the area who enjoyed the 18km / 12m route through some of the most spectacular countryside in Britain through the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales.

Horse riders travelled from as far afield as West Yorkshire and Cumbria to try out this section of the Pennine Bridleway project, including the award-winning Far Moor Bridge.  Linda Hoyle who took part with her palomino Hercules commented “It was a fabulous day and the ride was very well organised with a very well-marked route.  We’ll definitely be taking part again next year.”

Ten year old Charlie Hickson from Austwick Primary School who cycled the route and raised £226 to win the incentive prize for the most sponsorship money collected; a family meal generously donated by The Traddock.

The money raised by the event will go towards replacing the £9000 revenue lost due to cutbacks in local government funding for education. Gill Woods, Head Teacher of the Confederation of the three schools, is delighted with the success of the event, explaining “As our rural schools are small, we currently bring them together to share key parts of the curriculum, enabling children of the same age to study together.  The withdrawal of funding for transport costs between the schools meant this could cease to be viable.  By staging this event – which in itself represented modes of transport with walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders all taking part – we have made good in-roads into raising sufficient revenue to allow continued collaboration between the schools.

As well as transporting children for lessons during standard school hours, the funds raised will also help pupils to continue to benefit from the 3 breakfast clubs and 4 after school clubs which are organised between the schools, offering construction, orchestra and art and craft activities.