Three Year 10 students from Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted walked 50km to raise money for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.
On Thursday, August 22, and Friday, August 23, Arno, Benji and Will completed their walk around Berkhamsted, Potten End, Ashey Green, the Ashridge estate and as far as Ivinghoe Beacon.
Completely smashing their £500 target, the boys have already raised £1,275 at the time of writing.
On the first day, the boys walked 28km in six-and-a-half hours, before walking the remaining distance the next day in five hours, 59 minutes, and 47 seconds.
Last term, the boys were encouraged to start their fundraising excursion when their school ran an initiative alongside the charity First Give, an organisation that goes into secondary schools promoting action for charity.
The whole school were invited to get into groups and choose a charity to support. One group from each class were picked to be in the final, with the chance to win £1,000 for their chosen cause.
Arno, Benji and Will decided to commit to walk 50km for the air ambulance service because of a personal experience.
In 2023, the air ambulance went on 2,705 missions and responded to 1,105 medical emergencies across Hertfordshire and Essex.
The boys decided on that length because it was the same distance an air ambulance had flown to Benji’s great uncle when he had an industrial accident and needed to be rapidly taken to a specialist hospital.
Though the boys did not win the school competition, they did receive special commendation from the judges for their commitment to the cause.
Arno’s mum Colette Llewellyn told BerkoNews: “All of us mums are really proud at their commitment, their dedication to the cause, and the great achievement of walking 50km for charities.
“The whole walk was the boys’ idea. It was not something they did for themselves or personal gain.”
After celebrating their success with a BBQ, Will shared: “What an achievement. I can’t quite believe we did it.
“It was hard work regardless of the weather, but we pushed on knowing that we were walking for a cause that is worth fighting for.”
You can sponsor the boys on their JustGiving Page at www.justgiving.com/page/first-give-ehaa
0 Comments