Children, young people and teachers across schools in Swindon took part in an inclusive walk, push and pull challenge to raise money for essential classroom resources.
Seven schools in Swindon, which are part of the Brunel Academies Trust, raised nearly £1500 on Friday, June 28 in the 1.5km challenge at Lydiard Park, with Uplands School raising the most amount of money to fund resources and outdoor learning spaces and being awarded a bespoke bird table.
Event organiser Caroline Dent said the event had a ‘festival feel’ with music, dancing, face-painting and glitter and everyone had a great time, inspiring them to host another event next year.
She said: “The event was a huge success with over 500 children and young people crossing the finish line and receiving a sustainable wooden medal.
“The idea was bringing an inclusive event to Swindon for people with disabilities. I don’t think there is one; I wanted it to feel on par with what other charities do in Swindon.
“Members of the Brunel community, including friends and family, trustees and Swindon Borough Council all attended to support the event.
“It was great to see all the schools having fun and dancing at the start with their faces decorated with glitter before setting off.
“We have a real sense of community at Brunel and being able to do something like this with our families and friends allows everyone to feel part of something bigger. Seeing the children cross the finish line and receive their medals made it all worth it.”
“Following the positive feedback from all who attended, including one comment from a Westlea pupil who said it was “the best thing ever”, we have decided to make this event an annual challenge so we will be back, bigger and even better in July 2025, with our new mascot Brody the dog.”
Kirsty Davies’s daughter Ava-Louise dressed as a bumblebee and raised £110 for Uplands School.
Ava-Louise dressed up for the fundraiser (Image: Caroline Dent)
She said: “It was an honour for my daughter to be able to help raise money for Uplands, the school she attends, and it was amazing as the money is going to a great cause to help all the children with disabilities.”
“This was an amazing event. It demonstrated without any doubt why Brunel do what we do every day in order to improve the life chances and outcomes for all of our children and young people”, said Jackie Fieldwick CEO MBE.
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