A TEAM of 25 pupils and 15 staff from Lord Wandsworth College have taken part in Race to the Beach, running from the school to the beach at Hayling Island to raise money for charity.

The conditions were tough in the 30-degree heat on May 7 but every competitor finished this challenging race.

The race was the follow-up to the Race the Sun adventure they participated in last year on the Isle of Wight.

Pupils from the college at South Warnborough, near Odiham, who had taken part in this run around the island’s coastal path requested a new challenge this year to pit themselves against, and it was Lord Wansworth College’s lay chaplain, Pete Maidment, who then devised Race to the Beach.

The competitors were a mixture of veteran athletes, some who had never run before, and everything in between. A tough training plan was devised to ensure that everyone was race ready, and the promise of fish and chips at the end was all the motivation they needed!

The adventure made use of the Shipwright’s Way, a national trail which almost links the college with the beach at Hayling Island. They ran the 52 miles as a relay team, setting off at 9am.

When the college bursar (a keen cyclist) heard about the plans he challenged the team to a race; could pupils run to the beach in the same time it would take him and a group of cyclists to get from Hayling Island to the college and back – a gruelling 110-mile slog. The race was on!

Pupils and staff raised cash for several charities along the way.

Robbiesrally is a local charity dedicated to providing specialist medical professionals to help children suffering with brain tumours.

Students had fundraised for Robbiesrally at a previous endurance event, the Devizes to Westminster canoe race, and were keen to raise further funds for this amazing cause.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, exists to relieve need, suffering and distress among the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity.

It has supported a member of staff at Lord Wandsworth College, and her family, through the process of adopting their three children and has provided outstanding training to staff.

Funds were also raised for Cardiac Arrest in the Young in remembrance of a former pupil and a charity close to the heart of the college.