St Swithun’s school hosts virtual running challenge to raise money for girls in care

14 Oct 2020

Students and their families, former students and staff from St Swithun’s school, Winchester took part in their annual St Swithun’s Way Challenge, raising £18,000 for its Bramston Bursary Foundation fund for girls in, or on the brink of care.

The 295 participants covered a total of 1,795 miles wherever they were around the world, including New Zealand, China and the USA. Individually each ran distances of three, nine, 18 or 33 miles to reflect the stages of the St Swithun’s Way where the event traditionally takes place.

The Bramston Bursary Foundation has an annual fund-raising target of £250,000, which, fund-matched by the school itself, will provide bursaries for two girls joining the school at age 11. Working with its partner charities and the local authority, St Swithun’s will identify girls who are living in care or at home on the brink of going into care, but who would thrive emotionally and academically in the stability of the boarding school environment at St Swithun’s.

Headmistress Jane Gandee, who ran 18 miles on the day, said “I’d like to thank everyone who took part, our event corporate champion Knight Frank and our corporate supporter Rathbones. Through the Bramston Bursary Foundation, I am proud that we are able to offer first class education in a stable and structured boarding environment which can have a transformational impact on these children’s lives”. 

Photo: St Swithun’s headmistress Jane Gandee before her 18 mile run.