St Swithun’s challenge: a community triumph

St Swithun’s School in Winchester wrapped up the academic year as the school community came together to raise over £50,000 for the Bramston Bursary Foundation.

The St Swithun’s Challenge saw over 600 senior and prep pupils, staff, parents, and alumnae participating across both schools, highlighting the strong sense of community at St Swithun’s.

The Three Hills Challengers ran or walked their way around a 13km course which took them along part of the South Downs Way and to the top of St Catherine’s Hill and St Giles Hill.

Participants in the 1884 Kilomathon took part in a wide range of physical activities across the school grounds – surpassing the target of 1884 kilometres just ten minutes before the cut-off time, achieving a total of 2,049 km. The individual activity totals were:

TASK	TOTAL Kms
Walk	578
Dance	331
Continuous Tennis	330
Swim	324
Run	272
Sport Circuit	214

The following night saw parents and staff enjoy a Neon Disco and silent auction on the school grounds to help raise further funds for the Bramston Bursary Foundation. The Bramston Bursary Foundation supports girls from disadvantaged or challenging backgrounds via transformational fully-funded bursaries.

Jane Gandee, St Swithun’s Headmistress said: “The overwhelming support and enthusiasm displayed during the St Swithun’s Challenge reflect the heart and spirit of our community. It is inspiring to see everyone come together for such a meaningful cause and to strive to help more girls experience the opportunities available here.”

Kate Lewis, director of development, said, “The impressive funds that have been raised will make a meaningful impact. The school’s foundation provides fully funded boarding places at St Swithun’s for girls who would never be able to access the school otherwise. Many of our beneficiaries have considerable challenges in their circumstances, and some have been on the edge of being taken into social care. These bursary places at St Swithun’s School offer young girls’ stability, security, opportunities, and a nurturing environment filled with positive role models—helping them to thrive and achieve their full potential.”

The St Swithun’s Challenge is set to become a biennial tradition, highlighting the school's community spirit and commitment to helping others.