Two matrons from a school near Bridgnorth raised nearly £1,500 after successfully completing their “Welsh Hike Challenge” walking almost 20 miles and ascending more than 8,000 feet in just two days.
Katy Link and Sam Whyte, who both work at Moffats School, in Kinlet, took on the challenge to climb the three Welsh peaks, Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan, whilst for Katy, there are still more challenges ahead.
The pair decided to raise money for the school through the Moffats Society. Both have longstanding family links with Moffats School. Sam is a former pupil and now a matron and Katy is a Moffats Kindergarten teacher and matron.
The pair took three hours to climb Snowdon, which stands at 3,560 feet before tackling Cadair Idris.
Despite being 630ft shorter than Snowdon, the walk involved starting at a much lower altitude, so they faced a 3,360ft climb – to follow the 3,300 already done on Snowdon. However, they completed the challenge in just three-and-a-half hours.
Katy said: “During our descent we had to help a young French boy who had become separated from his father and sister half way down the mountain. Apart from the happy ending of reuniting the boy with his family, the episode also helped take our minds off the pain of the descent.
“However, that night we enjoyed a chip supper in Dolgellau, delighted to have completed two of the three peaks without any problems.”
The next day, the pair had a 90-mile drive to Pen y Fan. The last peak was the easiest of the three, with only 1,670 feet to climb. The two matrons found themselves back at Moffats just 47 hours after they left.
Sam said: “We simply love Moffats! The children, the setting and everything that the school stands for. We both found the challenge exhausting, but we were delighted to have raised so money. We couldn’t have made it without the wonderful sponsorship we have received. We hope eventually to raise £2,000.”
Katy is now due to take part in the Long Mynd Hike with her brother and sister. The 50-mile hike must be completed in 24 hours and starts at 1pm on October 3.
So far, Sam and Katy have raised £1,450 while people can still support them by visiting mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/moffatsmatronschallenges.
Moffats is a small day and boarding preparatory school owned and run by a family supported by dedicated staff, with pupils aged between three and 13 years. Boarders join from age seven upwards.
The Moffats Society was formed as an autonomous charitable trust in 1999 at the request of a group of former Moffats pupils, parents and friends. They believe that children who could benefit from the education and life the school offers should not be barred on financial grounds.