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Comic Relief Mt Kilimanjaoro Challenge

Friday, the 15th of March 2019, is Comic Relief Day. It is very important to GMS that we support this worthwhile cause and the charities it supports.

This year GMS has decided to raise money in a more proactive way than a non-uniform day. Leaders of the school have  taken inspiration from the recent ‘Comic Relief, Kilimanjaro: The Return’, when nine television celebrities, supported by Professor Greg Whyte, repeated the feat of the 2009 Comic Relief cohort and conquered all 5,895 metres of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mt Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania, and the highest peak in Africa: to climb this gigantic mass of rock, all climbers have to overcome very tough terrain, extremely high altitudes, and illness: mainly in the form of the very debilitating altitude sickness.

In 2014, staff and students from Great Marlow School climbed Mt Kilimanjaoro, as part of an expedition to Tanzania organised by Mr Andy Dean, a former Head of Physical Education. The staff and students experienced first hand the challenges faced by all who climb this mountain. The expedition also involved charitable work: staff and students helped build a village and improve access to clean water for the inhabitants.

On Friday, Great Marlow are challenging Key Stage 3 students to collectively ascend the equivalent of 5,895 metres: the height of Mt Kilimanjaro. To achieve this extraordinary feat, the stairs in A block will symbolise the ascent (these stairs lead to the Geography Department, which seems very appropriate). The stairs in T block will symbolise the descent. As the stairs in both blocks are 3.3 metres high, and as there are approximately 230 students in each year group, to collectively climb 5,895 metres, it will require each student to ascend and descend the stairs just eight times. Once completed, the KS3 students will have collectively completed both the ascent and descent, equivalent to conquering the great mountain of Kilimanjaro.

All of Key Stage 3 will be involved. There is no requirement to bring alternative clothing or footwear, as students will only be walking during this challenge. Alternative activities have been planned for those not able to climb stairs.

In order to raise funds for Comic Relief, we are asking the whole parent, carer and wider GMS community of Great Marlow School to sponsor this event via their ParentPay Login, using the clearly marked Red Nose Day 2019 Donation – Challenge link.

All other members of the school community, who do not have a ParentPay account, can use the ParentPay Shop to sponsor the students and donate money to Comic Relief: a login for this form of payment is not required.

Thank you for your continued support.

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