This was the third 24-hour overnight challenge to raise valuable funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the dedicated charity for Year 8.  From the off, they were ready for the challenge and talking the talk. ‘I’m going for a marathon’, said some, and ‘my Dad’s just done an ultramarathon, so I’m aiming for 51,’ said another.  But these were not throw-away comments or bravado, they were serious and considered personal challenges. 

The weather was glorious, as Majid Hafezparast, Professor of Molecular Neuroscience at Sussex University, gave fifty-six Year 8s and some staff an inspiring pep-talk before they set off to walk 1-kilometre laps around the fields. The ribbon was cut at noon on Friday and they left the start line in high spirits, ready to walk the route as many times as they could all through the night before noon on Saturday.

The sleeping arrangements were interesting – think DofE expedition meets massive sleep-over, with sleeping bags and snacks, changes of socks and alarm clocks. Lots of the girls chose to miss their first allocated sleeping stint, so that they could keep walking, and the clear sky let the stars and moon shine beautifully. There were staff down on the field throughout, and at least one student was walking for every minute of the 24 hours.

The result was that the Year 8s smashed it! Remarkably, twenty-two Year 8s covered a marathon distance or more – congratulations go to Harrie, Mattie, Star, Amelie, Bethany, Isobel, Maisie, Florence, Eve, Lexi, Tabitha, Alia, Zé, Chloe, Lara, Marion, Charlene, Holly, and Sela. Truly remarkable, however, were Deema, who racked up 70 kilometres, and Anya and Josie, who both clocked 72 kilometres in 24 hours!

While Miss Bamford (incapacitated due to an ankle injury) supervised the girls, managed the playlist, and cheered everyone on, three members of staff were walking for the whole event – well done to Mr Forte, who covered 62 kilometres, and Dr Barrand and Mr Wilson, who both reached 77, an appropriate number since 7 was the number of the legendary Rob Burrow, the England Rugby league player who died of MND. Together, the Year 8s covered 2362 kilometres, over 300 kilometres more than the previous best, and the whole school walked 3466 kilometres.

This titanic endeavour has raised £4859 for MNDA – it is wonderful to have raised so much money for this special charity, but also that it was such a collective endeavour, bringing together students from all year-groups, boarders from the Houses walking while the Year 8s had their breakfast, staff walking in their lunch break or in a free period, and parents, siblings, and dogs for the final hour! Congratulations to everyone involved – we’re already looking forward to next year!

If you would like to donate, please head to our JustGIving page: Roedean Fundraising is fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Association