Sidmouth College youngsters congratulated

AROUND 900 Sidmouth College students donned pink fancy-dress and put their best foot forward with a 20km charity trek last Thursday, writes STEFAN GORDON.

Blue skies saw a huge procession of colourfully-clad students complete a sponsored walk it is hoped has netted more than �9,500.

The challenge was organised to raise money for school projects and the college’s two nominated charities - Breast Cancer Awareness and the Buturi Project, a venture giving aid and support to a village in Africa.

“The students really put their heart and soul into what was a significant challenge,” said Sidmouth College principal Jeremy Roberts.

“It was an amazingly successful day.”

Pupils walked from the college’s Primley Road base to the Byes, across the sea-front, up Peak Hill, around Mutter’s Moor, through Colaton Raleigh and back to school again.

Spirits were high and students – from 11 to 18 years – caught the eye of members of the public with a host of pink outfits.

First to complete the walk in just two hours and 50 minutes was Year 13 student, James Beckenham.

He was closely followed by fellow Year 13 pupils James Cardwell, Josh Gigg and Tom Adkin.

Waves of youngsters followed suit - with the last crossing the finish line in around four-and-a-half hours.

“We’re on course to raise over �9500, a percentage of which will go to our nominated charities,” added Mr Roberts.

He congratulated students for their excellent attitudes and behaviour.

Mr Roberts thanked staff for their efforts in organising and running the event and parents for their support.

“The feedback from the people we met on the route was just lovely and I am so pleased that the young people of Sidmouth are in the news for all the right reasons,” he added.