Oswestry pupils walk out for good causes

More than 700 pupils from The Marches School in Oswestry chose a variety of charities to support before setting off .

They hope to have raised £2,000 from their efforts yesterday, once all the sponsorship is collected.

The 721 students from Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in the sponsored walk, leaving school in groups from 9am with the last walkers returning to school by 3pm.

Their six-and-a-half mile route took them through Oswestry School's playing fields and then into the countryside as they headed up towards the Old Racecourse before making their way back to school.

Along the walk the students were wearing non-uniform, with some choosing to wear clothing associated with the charity they were supporting to raise more awareness of the charities.

The walk, which has been named Marching Marches, was raising funds for B-eat, Evie's Dream, Hope House, Cancer Research UK, Oswestry orthopaedic hospital's bone cancer centre appeal, and Child Reach UK. Deputy headteacher Ruth Lloyd, who took part in the walk with the Year 7 pupils, said the day had gone perfectly.

Mrs Lloyd, who was one of the last walkers to return to the school at 3pm, said: "It's been a fantastic day.

"The kids have thoroughly enjoyed it and it's for such good causes.

"And what weather. It's been a lovely day and I must thank PE teacher Sian Scott who organised the event for making it such a success.

"We don't know how much money we've raised yet, but it had been a really fantastic day."

Also walking with the Year 7 students was Sharon Harding, a member of staff from Barclays Bank in Oswestry.

The branch has pledged to match the first £750 raised to go towards the students' chosen charities.

The students gathered the sponsorship before the walk, but anyone would like to sponsor or donate can contact walk organiser Sian Scott on (01691) 664400.