Pupils raise £9,000 with arduous river trek

A team of 19 school children, aged 10 to 13, have paddled 50 kilometers down the River Severn as part of a major charity challenge, and managed to raise almost three times their target.

The children, from Abberley Hall School near Tenbury Wells, braved atrocious weather during an arduous two-day canoe and camping trek from the Shrewsbury area to Bewdley as part of a range of sporting activities called the K12 Challenge.

The challenge hopes to raise £100,000 to donate to a new, state of the art indoor arena in Much Wenlock for the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Will Lockett, headmaster at Abberley Hall, said it was the pupils' idea to undertake the canoe adventure, and they planned the route from Attingham all the way to Bewdley.

He said: "They braved torrential rain all day to navigate the Severn in Canadian style canoes, even taking on some serious rapids near Ironbridge.

"The children displayed incredible determination and impressed supporters and sponsors alike with their cheerfulness despite the appalling weather.

"They also worked hard at raising sponsorship, setting out to collect £3,000 but actually reaching an incredible £8,800 so far.

"The K12 Challenge is aiming to get 100 children, groups of children, schools or clubs from throughout the region to raise £1,000 each by taking on sponsored sporting events.

"The intention is to inspire young people to make a difference by being active and to give them an insight to the lives of other children who face daily challenges with their disabilities.

"Abberley pupils are rising brilliantly to the K12 challenge by coming up with lots of ways to take part - competing in a triathlon, a mud run, an extreme bike ride, mountain climbing and an outdoor swim and the canoe trip was the latest.

"They are getting a great deal of pleasure and sense of achievement by being part of this initiative." Mr Lockett said.