Nearly 100 students, clients and staff from Shropshire’s Derwen College donned their festive best to join a Santa Dash to launch Derwen College’s festive fundraiser: the DC to Lapland Challenge.
Participants from the specialist FE college, near Oswestry dressed in a range of festive outfits including Christmas jumpers and Santa hats, ran and walked a total of 261 laps around the college: a grand total of more than 200 miles.
It was a fantastic start to the virtual Derwen College to Lapland Challenge, where participants are aiming to walk, run, cycle, wheelchair or swim a total of 1,989 miles in 10 days to raise funds for Derwen College Charity.
Staff and students took turns to run in their separate curriculum-based bubbles to ensure that the event was safe for everyone involved.
The college was also delighted that 23 people from Oswestry company Aico have also signed up to support the event.
Fundraiser Anna Evans said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick-start this festive charity challenge. Staff, students and clients all got involved, walking or running around campus, many dressed in their Christmas jumpers and hats. What a brilliant start to Day 1.”
She added: “There is still time for people to join us to help cover 1,989 miles in 10 days. The more the merrier! We’re really grateful to all the students and families who have already signed up, and to the Aico team for such overwhelming support.”
Registration for the DC to Lapland challenge is free, and every participant receives a medal, designed and printed at Derwen College.
Derwen College is a specialist college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities. Students learn work and independence skills which provide them with the tools for a more independent life after college.
All donations from this event will go towards the Agnes Hunt Village project to refurbish and renovate the Agnes Hunt Village bungalows which are used by students to learn and develop their independent living skills.
To sign up contact Anna Evans on anna.evans@derwen.ac.uk or telephone 01691 661234 (ext 395).
Find out more about Derwen College and Derwen College Charity at www.derwen.ac.uk
