Sponsored Walk 2018

On Friday 28 September, Shiplake College’s classrooms, sports fields and boarding houses were swapped for the great Oxfordshire outdoors as 410 pupils embarked on the biennial Sponsored Walk.

From 9.00am, the Horseman Coaches left Shiplake for Moulsford where the start line of the Sponsored Walk is situated. Setting off at 9.45am, Mr Shaw (dapperly dressed as usual), Mr Alcock and Mr Lawson led the way with the Lower School cohort. Reaching Goring at 10.10am, the Lower School boys were soon followed by the remaining 353 pupils. Among these pupils were walkers, runners and rowers, as well as Mr Curtis on his bicycle.

The route followed the River Thames, all the way from Moulsford, passing through Goring, Whitchurch, Mapledurham, Reading and Sonning, before returning to Shiplake via the Riverside pitches. First to finish was Jamie Gibbs of Year 13, who ran the 20 mile course in just 3 hours 35 minutes! Soon after, Year 12 Tom Wilkinson arrived back at School with Year 10 Henry Poustie hot on his heels.

A total of 46 members of staff were also involved in the walk and a further 17 members of staff were acting as marshals at checkpoints along the way. These checkpoints were stocked with healthy snacks and water for pupils to refill their reusable bottles.

A total of 330 pupils completed the walk, indicating the challenge of walking 20 miles. At this point (Monday 1 October, 10.15am), pupils, parents, families and friends of Shiplake College have helped to raise over £10,000! We hope to raise £15,000 to split between Gap Africa, who will receive 80% of the money raised. Shiplake College’s Charities Committee, made up of pupils from across the school, also chose to raise money for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Nomad Henley, Headway, Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, Dublin and St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol, who will receive a share of the remaining 20% of the money raised by the Sponsored Walk.

We would like to congratulate all of the pupils and staff who completed the walk, as well as everyone who has helped to raise so much money. If you would like to support our pupils who walked as far as they did, as well as these fantastic charities, then please donate here.