Selborne College pupils yesterday undertook their annual endurance hike in a bid to raise funds for Hope Preparatory School in Wilsonia.
More than 700 boys from Grade 8 to Grade 12 participated in the lengthy hike, with the exception of a few with medical constraints.
The 21.5km walk started at 8am at the school premises before the boys made their way to Pearce Street, along the Old Transkei Road via Abbotsford and along Bonza Bay Road. They then walked down Beaconhurst Drive before heading back via Willasdale Drive in Bonnie Doon and along Beach Road in Nahoon en route back to school.
Teacher and organiser Darrel Osche said the hike was compulsory, but it was not a race.
“The hike has been part of the school culture and dates back from the 1970s which makes it a key event to all Selbornians.
“In 2012 Hope School was identified as a beneficiary for the fundraising made by the pupils from monies they collect from their family and friends for the walk, and the school has been donating to them ever since.”
Osche said although it was still too early to establish how much had been raised this year, last year more than R90000 was raised by the school through the same initiative.
Hope School headmaster Nigel Raw confirmed that this was the fifth year they were sponsored by the Selbornians. “This school is one of the initiatives of Sophumelela centre’s anti-retroviral clinic which started as a daycare centre for children of the patients who attended the clinic.
It began as Little Sparklers Educare in 2006 with just three children.
“It later grew to include Hope Preparatory and together Hope Schools cares for 226 pupils from Grade 00 up to Grade 7, with a commitment to grow by a grade a year (20 pupils).”
Raw said all the children were affected by HIV/Aids.
“All come from homes where the families live way below the poverty line and at Hope Schools, with the support of schools like Selborne, we give our children quality education, transport and two meals including two snacks daily,” Raw said.
Board of governors chairman of the Hope School Trust Allan Staples said the school had not received any funding from government for scholar transport or their nutrition programme.
The Daily Dispatch yesterday spoke to Selborne pupils during the hike.
Grade 11 pupil Jodie van der Westhuizen said although the walk was tedious, it was worthwhile.
“It’s not every day we get to be challenged a bit and get out our comfort zones.
“There are others who are living in suffering daily.”
Pupil Agcobile Mxhalisa said the walk was intense, but for a good cause.
Selborne walks to help less fortunate
More than 700 boys from Grade 8 to Grade 12 participated in the lengthy hike, with the exception of a few with medical constraints.
The 21.5km walk started at 8am at the school premises before the boys made their way to Pearce Street, along the Old Transkei Road via Abbotsford and along Bonza Bay Road. They then walked down Beaconhurst Drive before heading back via Willasdale Drive in Bonnie Doon and along Beach Road in Nahoon en route back to school.
Teacher and organiser Darrel Osche said the hike was compulsory, but it was not a race.
“The hike has been part of the school culture and dates back from the 1970s which makes it a key event to all Selbornians.
“In 2012 Hope School was identified as a beneficiary for the fundraising made by the pupils from monies they collect from their family and friends for the walk, and the school has been donating to them ever since.”
Osche said although it was still too early to establish how much had been raised this year, last year more than R90000 was raised by the school through the same initiative.
Hope School headmaster Nigel Raw confirmed that this was the fifth year they were sponsored by the Selbornians. “This school is one of the initiatives of Sophumelela centre’s anti-retroviral clinic which started as a daycare centre for children of the patients who attended the clinic.
It began as Little Sparklers Educare in 2006 with just three children.
“It later grew to include Hope Preparatory and together Hope Schools cares for 226 pupils from Grade 00 up to Grade 7, with a commitment to grow by a grade a year (20 pupils).”
Raw said all the children were affected by HIV/Aids.
“All come from homes where the families live way below the poverty line and at Hope Schools, with the support of schools like Selborne, we give our children quality education, transport and two meals including two snacks daily,” Raw said.
Board of governors chairman of the Hope School Trust Allan Staples said the school had not received any funding from government for scholar transport or their nutrition programme.
The Daily Dispatch yesterday spoke to Selborne pupils during the hike.
Grade 11 pupil Jodie van der Westhuizen said although the walk was tedious, it was worthwhile.
“It’s not every day we get to be challenged a bit and get out our comfort zones.
“There are others who are living in suffering daily.”
Pupil Agcobile Mxhalisa said the walk was intense, but for a good cause.
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