Schools’ 12 mile challenge

Staff, parents and pupils from schools in North Craven are appealing for participants from across the country for a massive fundraising challenge.
On Saturday 20^th April the group of three rural primary schools hope to attract walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders from across Yorkshire and beyond to join in their sponsored event.

The 18km / 12m course runs through some of the most spectacular countryside in Britain as it winds its way through the Three Peaks area of the Yorkshire Dales. With the Tour de France coming to the Dales next year, the event provides a fabulous opportunity for cyclists to ride through some of the same iconic scenery for a good cause this year.  Horse riders taking part will be able to try out stretches of the Pennine Bridleway project, including the stretch  which opened in 2012 , incorporating the award-winning Far Moor Bridge. This route offers safe and picturesque hacking in the area.

The entry fee for the event is just £10 and entrants are also encouraged to generate sponsorship support to help with the fundraising effort.  The Traddock, a local restaurant, is providing a meal for two as a prize for the most successful fundraiser taking part.

Like many other schools who have found themselves victims of cutbacks in local government funding for education, Austwick, Clapham and Horton primary schools are faced with a significant loss of revenue. Gill Woods, Head Teacher of the Confederation of the three schools, is determined that the quality of the education for the children should not suffer and has gathered support from local businesses, parents, staff and pupils, encouraging them to rally together to do something inspiring while at the same time generating funds.

Mrs Woods explains “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 means this could cease to be viable.  By staging this event – which in itself represents modes of transport with walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders all taking part – we hope to raise sufficient revenue to allow the schools to continue to collaborate.

As well as transporting children for lessons during standard school hours, the funds raised will also allow pupils the opportunity 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.

With a total of just 113 children across the three schools, the teaching ratio is extremely favourable across all three schools, ensuring a remarkable primary school education.  Austwick, Clapham and Horton hold Ofsted commendations as “Outstanding Schools”, and Gill Woods hopes that the fundraising efforts focussed in the sponsored walk-run-cycle-ride event in April will enable the staff to continue to deliver these exceptional standards.

Entry to the event, which will start at Clapham public car park and end in Horton, can be competitive or purely for pleasure. Times and maps will be issued on the day, along with safety advice. Refreshments will be available en route, together with free tea and coffee at the finish point. There will also be bacon butties, cakes and biscuits available for purchase. Transport will be available to take people back to their cars at the end of the event.  Information is available on local accommodation providers for participants travelling from away, including those bringing cycles or horses.

Donations in support or cheques for the £10 entry should be made payable to Horton-in-Ribblesdale School  and can be sent to Mrs G Woods, Executive  Headteacher, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 0EX.  Further details are available from Horton-in-Ribblesdale Primary School on 01729 860282 or by e-mail from:  headteacher@achconfed.org.uk.