Science teachers gear up for charity challenge

Most of the group work at Shirebrook Academy and will be completing the tough challenge on April 5 to raise money for the school’s summer trip to Namibia.

They will attempt to climb Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, in under 12 hours. All three peaks form part of the Pennine range and are in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Richard Wiles, an assistant head of science at the Common Lane school, is one of the team behind the fundraising effort.

He said: “We wanted to come together to do something but we weren’t sure what so when the Yorkshire Three Peaks was mentioned we decided to go for it.

“It’s a great challenge to attempt but it’s quite close to where we all live and doesn’t involve lots of travelling which was important as we have to get there and complete it in just a weekend.

“We can’t wait to get started. We’re all quite fit and do a lot of walking and cycling between us. Some have done things for charity in the past so we want to get going now.”

The money the team of ten raise will be split between the Namibia fund and the fundraising pot of a former student, Ben Allsop, who is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the summer in aid of Childreach International.

Mr Wiles said: “Ben left Shirebrook a few years ago and is now studying biomedical science at university.

“We had an assembly from Ben and he told us about why he’s chosen to do it and his motivation and some information about the charity.

“He was very inspirational and everyone wanted to get involved and help him too. That’s why we’re going to split the money.”

In return, Ben will be visiting Shirebrook to give a talk to our most able science students about what life is like studying science and at university.

Ten people in total are taking part – eight from the science department and two friends - and they are hoping to raise £500.