The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Jules Verne’s character, Phileas Fogg managed to circumnavigate the world in 80 days, however Students at Spalding Grammar School have managed to do the same distance in just under 31 days.
Throughout the month of March, students, parents, staff and friends of the school were encouraged to walk, run, cycle and row around the world in the new virtual challenge in aid of the charity Mind – that’s a gruelling 24,800 miles.
The idea of the challenge came around after the success of the Lands End to John O’Groats virtual challenge, which the school took part during the lockdown in July 2020.
Charles Crane, who co-ordinated the project in the school, said: “We really wanted to challenge the school community so this seems a suitable challenge.
“This year, as a school body, we choose Mind as the school’s focused charity.
“It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
“However, they need our support to raise essential funds to provide more support and information to more people.
“In July 2021, one in six children aged five to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem, a huge increase from one in nine in 2017. That’s five children in every classroom.
“Furthermore, this has a big impact later in life with one-third of mental health problems in adulthood are directly connected to an adverse childhood experience.
“Just over one in three children and young people with a diagnosable mental health condition get access to NHS care and treatment
“Throughout the challenge it was really close, as to whether the school would achieve the 24,800 miles and with only five days left, the school needed 4,000 miles.
“However, as a school community, we have really pulled together, with the school completing 26,361 miles.
“This is a fantastic achievement, and I would like to thank everyone for clocking up the miles.
“Currently, the school has raised over £500, however we are still looking at improving on this total.”
