1000 Participants, 10 Miles, Four Chosen Charities – The Kent College Pembury Sponsored Walk
On Friday 26th September Kent College Pembury held their 47th annual Sponsored Walk, the biggest fundraising event in the school’s calendar. With great autumnal weather on their side, and two different scenic routes planned, students, staff and parents enjoyed the 10mile fundraising challenge. The aim of the annual event is to raise money for charities elected by students, as well as continually supporting their sister school, Kent College Nepal.
The morning and afternoon walks both began at the school site before taking walkers through the Pembury and Matfield countryside. A thousand participants, some as young as four from the Preparatory School, completed the walk, as did Kent College’s resident dogs.
The organiser of the walk and Head of Pastoral and Outdoor Education, Mrs Carol Davidson has been planning the event for the past five years. I was interested to find out how Carol managed to organise such a large scale charitable event, what will happen to the money raised, and how else do Kent College fundraise?
Could you describe some of the practicalities you had to take into account when organising such a large scale event?
“Firstly I had to choose the routes, and walked them myself several times to note any new obstacles. We spent time contacting local farmers, the police and landowners out of courtesy, and checking the animals in the fields were secure. I then had to look at the actual walk itself and make sure it was safe, i.e. not too arduous but challenging enough. This year they were digging up the field to lay new electricity cables just days before, we had to make sure they would not be doing this on the day. Allowing enough time to plan any event is key.”
Tell us a bit about KC Nepal and where will the money raised be spent next?
“KC Nepal is a school that educates local children in the remote region of Lahachok, Pokhar, the only English speaking school in the area. The Kent College community has sponsored the school for the last nine years and has funded the building of the second storey of the school, the provision of teachers, teaching resources, and fresh running water to the site.
The latest project is two nursery classrooms which we hope to furnish from the proceeds of this year’s walk.”
How else does the KC community fundraise?
“The previous day the KC Prep and Senior schools Parents’ Association raised £687 by taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. Each year the school raises around £20,000 for charities through activities such as cake sales and home clothes days. Through fundraising, and many other initiatives such as community service, students learn the value of giving.”
Do you have plans for 2015?
“I have plans to visit KC Nepal in October half term and hope to take students back out next year. We have to continue to raise money to support KC Nepal; we are one school in two countries. Here’s to the 48th KC Sponsored Walk.”