1,309 school children came together at Marlborough College on Sunday 21 May to take part in the Knight Frank Schools Triathlon, the UK’s largest fundraising event for children. In teams of four, they swam, cycled and ran over 2,599km combined, the distance from Swindon to Gibraltar and have so far have raised over £121,806k. It is a truly inspiring story of local children supporting young people around the world.
This is a national series organised by global youth charity, Restless Development. This year, more than 7,500 pupils took part to raise over £950k; which will support more than 80 charities. Thanks to event sponsor, Knight Frank the much needed funds raised will go directly to charity.
Marlborough College has hosted the event since 2017. They are truly community centred days, with local businesses and over 2,000 attendees coming together for a feel-good event. Generous volunteers and 93 Marlborough pupils kindly gave up their Sunday to ensure the event ran smoothly. Hattie Woodhouse, who took part in the Triathlons in the past, volunteered on the day and supported by handing out T-shirts and hoodies to teams on the day.
Hattie said, “My journey with Restless Development first started when I did my first Schools Triathlon when I was 7 and since then I have got more involved with Restless and the work they do outside of the triathlons.
Last year I was part of a small group of people called the Restless Development young leadership council who worked to try and make the world a better place for the young to grow up in a more sustainable world. I have also grown a love for triathlons on the back of the ones I did for Restless, dreaming of big things in the future with the para GB team. This charity has done so much more than just getting me involved in the triathlons. I have grown so much from being involved in the charity and I really hope others will be inspired to get involved too and help this amazing organisation.
I decided to volunteer this year as I felt I owed something back to Restless Development for what they have done for me after doing the triathlons with them but also to be involved again in such a great event and support those taking part this year!
Restless Development is all about the empowerment of young people and if those young people who are more fortunate can help, then it will encourage change and make a huge difference.”
Lots of inspiring stories came out of the day including team Daring Dragons from Caldicott School who were the top fundraisers of the day. Alexander Whyatt, Freddie Doyle, Nicholas Carew Pole and Wenty Beaumont (all 9 years old) from Caldicott School together raised £2,027 for charity.
Wenty Beaumont said, “I decided to sign up because I really like running and active events. I found the day very fun. My favourite part was going past the finish line because my friend gave me a piggyback and we did fun poses. It’s important to raise money for charity because the world becomes a better place. I fundraised for Restless Development because young people can change the world.”
“I really wanted to sign up with my friends because I really like cycling, swimming and running. The day was great and I’d do it again!” said Freddie Doyle.
“We asked family and friends if they could donate. Lots of people supported us and we got lots of money. It’s important to fundraise because there are people who need it more than we do,” said Nicolas Carew Pole.
“You should definitely sign up next year because you get tons of free stuff like sweets and there are lots of fun things to do on the day,” commented Alexander Whyatt
The Knight Frank Schools Triathlon is an event which captures the power and compassion of young people. Email the Schools Triathlon team to be involved in the events next year schoolstriathlon@restlessdevelopment.org with the subject line ‘Volunteer’ or ‘Sponsorship’.
Officers visit St John’s for knife crime talks
