Littlehampton Academy students climbing the height of Mount Everest on their staircases for Mind

Students at The Littlehampton Academy are climbing the height of Mount Everest on their staircases to raise money for Mind.
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Richard Hanks, assistant principal at The Littlehampton Academy, organised the four-week challenge with teacher Samantha Bridle and is taking part alongside a group of year-11 students.

The aim is to hit a combined total of 8,849m by climbing up the stairs at home.

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The group has already passed its £500 target but everyone is still going strong.

Richard Hanks, assistant principal at The Littlehampton Academy, organised the Everest Challenge to raise money for MindRichard Hanks, assistant principal at The Littlehampton Academy, organised the Everest Challenge to raise money for Mind
Richard Hanks, assistant principal at The Littlehampton Academy, organised the Everest Challenge to raise money for Mind

Mr Hanks said: “We’ve achieved our goal thanks to a flurry of donations. Thank you everyone. Now let’s smash it out of the water! We keep climbing. It would be great to raise even more money for a very important charity for young people.

“Lockdown is hard for everyone but spare a thought for students in year 11 who were preparing hard for their GCSE examinations, only for them to be cancelled and their futures cast in to doubt.

“The students, their parents, staff and the TLA community have really got behind the students – it’s given these young people a sense of pride during a very challenging time, which is fantastic.”

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The challenge had been planned by a group of year-ten students for March 20 last year, on the main academy staircase.

Mr Hanks said: “It couldn’t go ahead due to enforced school closure but the same group, now year 11, wanted to ensure that they still attempted the challenge.

“They are completing it on their stairs at home and each ascent is 3m, so a total of 2,949 ascents is needed.

“The students chose the charity Mind and wanted something positive to focus on during this uncertain time for year-11 students.”

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The challenge started on Monday, January 18, and the finish date has been set for Friday, February 12. The group passed the 5,000m mark yesterday and to date, have a further 3,845m left to go.

Mr Hanks said: “It has really motivated them and given them a sense of positivity and belonging, even though they are attending only online lessons at the moment and not coming into the building.

“It has also meant that they are staying active, as six hours of online learning a day is mentally challenging.”

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