For seven years now, our Primary 7s have been embarking on the mammoth challenge of completing the West Highland Way, and raising an incredible amount of money for charity in the process.
Mr Anderson and Mrs Grant are the brains and logistics behind the operation. We caught up with them both to find out more about the adventure. Mrs Grant explained how the initiative first began: “In previous years, some children walked from Glasgow to Edinburgh and others walked part of the John Muir Way. Walking the West Highland Way was therefore a natural extension, by taking the children into some of Scotland’s most beautiful places and giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves both mentally and physically.”
Mr Anderson adds: “We are always amazed by the enthusiasm and resilience shown by the children on this trip, even when they are tired and sometimes cold and wet!”
Lottie P and Miriam F were just two of the 26 students taking part in the trip, and they all had multiple reasons for taking part. Lottie was inspired by her love of the outdoors, and she was keen to meet new people. For Miriam, the drive came from challenging herself and like all the children taking part, a desire to raise money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity very close to the School’s heart.
All the children took part in their own type of training, going out on walks with family and friends at the weekends, building up the length of the walks and taking on some steep hills.
During the challenge itself, the children learn a lot about themselves. Mr Anderson comments: “They always realise that they are able to complete a challenge as big as this one, even when they are absolutely exhausted. They also learn strategies to help other people (not just friends) get through tough challenges when they are feeling very tired, fed up and emotional.”
This year, the group have raised an incredible £14,926.61 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Whether it was singing together as they put one foot in front of the other, cheering each other on, or offering words of enthusiasm to keep going, the group were unsurprisingly elated when they finished, and enjoyed a real sense of achievement.
Miriam adds: “It felt very good, but my feet were very sore!”. We don’t doubt it!
Well done to everyone who took part.
