Warwickshire schoolchildren bounce their way to support charity trek

Published by kerri smith for Reach the People Charity in Housing and also in Communities

Children were jumping for joy when they held a charity “bounce about” at their Warwickshire school.

Pupils at Newton Regis Church of England Primary School were sponsored for the number of jumps they did on mini trampolines during the event last Thursday (28th February).

The stunt has raised funds for a charity trek being done by Ellie West, a former pupil at the village school near Tamworth.

Ellie, aged 27, from Tamworth, will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa – in October, along with 11 of her colleagues from Midlands-based Trident Reach the People Charity, to raise funds for their work with vulnerable people in the community.

By completing the gruelling challenge, they hope to raise £75,000 to buy three minibuses to offer a transport lifeline to people, including the elderly and women and children who have fled domestic abuse, so they can enjoy trips out to boost their self-esteem and quality of life.

Ellie, whose mother Alison has worked as a teaching assistant at the school for over 24 years, previously visited to give a talk to pupils about the challenge with two of her fellow trekkers.

Ellie, who works as a Tenancy Support Officer at Trident Reach’s Derbyshire services, said: “We talked to the children about Trident Reach’s work and about the trek we would be doing, then asked them if they would like to support us and they said yes.

“As well as this sponsored bounce, they are talking about having a sponsored pyjama day, holding a coffee morning and us having a stand at the school’s summer fair in June. We can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Sam Dennis, Headteacher at the school, said: “The children were fascinated to hear about Ellie’s work and the African adventure they are planning.

“All our 93 pupils took part in the ‘boogie bounce’ and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are delighted to support Ellie’s fundraising efforts and Trident Reach’s work to help vulnerable people in our communities.”

Ellie and her colleagues will brave extreme temperatures and high altitude during their eight-day trek to reach the 19,330ft summit of Mount Kilimanjaro this autumn.

Trident Reach provides housing, care and support services to vulnerable people with a range of needs across the Midlands region, including homeless people, those with disabilities or mental health problems, the elderly and people fleeing domestic abuse.

Anyone interested in supporting the charity’s fundraising efforts can find out more by calling 0121 226 5800.