Students from Bedlingtonshire Community High School have overcome local challenges and started their very own walking club. The team of twelve Year 9 students had to secure funding to purchase walking kit and arrange their own transport, and have succeeded in running their first day walk.
Jessica White, 13, said, "We wanted the walking club to be open to any student in our year group, irrespective of their background or where they came from. We have had a fantastic response. We've spent the past few months developing our navigation, teamwork and leadership skills."
The team of students chose the beautiful Northumberland coastline as the scene for their first trek, taking in the villages of Boulmer, Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle.
The group, believed to be the first walking club set up in the school was set up in memory of their former teacher and avid walker Alastair Aitken. Alastair tragically lost his life in the Scottish Highlands at the end of last year. "We want to climb the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis." Liam Bessford, 13, said. "After that, we'd like to go to the Alps and do the same trek that Mr Aitken did and raise money for charity."
Principal Kieran McGrane said, "It's not often that our students get a chance to take to the hills. Alastair led a school trip to the Alps last year and he was a great believer in getting our young people out into the countryside because he knew how much they benefited from the experience. It's great to see our students taking on the challenge themselves, we're very proud of them."