Trekking teachers from Highfield and Brookham Schools ready for South Coast Challenge

A quartet of intrepid teachers from Highfield and Brookham Schools, an independent school in Liphook, are busy preparing to put their best feet forward for charity.

The Trekking Teachers have signed up for the mighty South Coast Challenge in September, and now the race is on for the fab four to be in tip-top shape for the scenic 62-mile trek across Sussex.

Brookham School Headteacher Sophie Baber and Deputy Head Kerri Wilkes will be joined by Georgie Hunter (Head of Year 1 and Reception) and Georgie Cooke-Priest (Head of Learning Support) for the gargantuan fundraising walk from Eastbourne in East Sussex to Arundel in West Sussex.

And the hardy walkers will cover some of the most beautiful terrain and see some of the finest sights that the south of England has to offer as they raise money for Highfield Highreach Holidays, a volunteer-run organisation based at Highfield and Brookham Schools that provides week-long residential breaks for children with learning difficulties.

Having chosen to take the ‘continuous’ overnight challenge option and walking non-stop, starting on September 3, the trekkers will take in the spectacular scenery of Beachy Head, the Seven Sisters and Devil’s Dyke as they make their way north of Brighton along the South Downs Way to the historic town of Arundel, finishing on September 4.

Mrs Baber, whose husband, Guy, is a former ‘ultra’ runner who works as the estate manager at Highfield and Brookham Schools, said: “We are always telling our children to challenge themselves, so we thought we should lead by example and challenge ourselves as well. Walking the equivalent of 2.3 marathons, we will have to persevere and collaborate to finish this. We know it’s going to be a real challenge but we think as a team we will succeed.”

The willing walkers hope to raise at least £2,000 for their chosen charity, which is now in its fourth year and takes children aged eight to 16.

“Highfield Highreach Holidays provides crucial respite for the families of the children who come to us,” said Mrs Baber. “The organisation also accommodates those families who can’t afford the high price of many commercial respite-care schemes. Costs are kept low by raising funds to cover more than 50 per cent of the cost of the holidays.”

And she added: “Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to all of us.”

To find out more about Highfield Highreach Holidays visit highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/highreach-holidays and to donate, visit gofundme.com/f/hhh-south-coast-challenge.