00:00Music
00:12Known for their unique projects from trains turned into cafes to planes reimagined into libraries.
00:21Taking on a challenge is nothing out of the ordinary for Five Acre Wood School in Maidstone.
00:28Each year they host Woodstock, a festival designed for their students to sing, dance and enjoy live music before the
00:39summer holidays.
00:40This celebration is vital to give them the life experience they may not be able to get due to accessibility
00:48difficulties.
00:49But it comes at quite the cost, so to be able to put on a show for their students, a
00:56team of staff take on the West Highland Way.
01:00Music
01:06Scotland's famous 96 mile trek across rugged terrain, giving themselves just five days to complete the challenge and raise vital
01:18funds.
01:19I like to challenge myself, our students live with challenges every day.
01:23And so for us to do a challenge like this helps us, it helps us not understand, but it proves
01:36to the children that we can do whatever we want, we set our minds to it.
01:41But the journey started before the challenge even began.
01:46From completing laps of Kent's local towns.
01:49Out on the downs, our first loop aren't we Jo?
01:53Yes.
01:53Yeah, first of two we're going to do 20 miles today and we've got one thing to say haven't we?
01:59Hashtag
02:00Where's your commitment?
02:01Just walking home to city and board as you do.
02:03About three miles in, only about 14 to go.
02:07Yeah, so we're smashing it.
02:10We've got one question for you haven't we Phil?
02:12Where's your commitment?
02:14To the van being prepped by the support team.
02:16The bus is looking ready, we're almost there aren't we Sarah?
02:19Nearly packed.
02:20And then, landing in Scotland the night before.
02:24Right, so we are in Glasgow.
02:26We're at the train station because we're just off to Glasgow city central to get some dinner.
02:32Let's check in with everyone, see how everyone's feeling.
02:34It was a long drive, we're tired, we're hungry, we want to eat, get our heads down ready for tomorrow.
02:39Absolutely perfect, just a little cold.
02:41A little bit cold.
02:44Very hungry.
02:46Definitely hungry.
02:48Location number one, the team are ready and about to set off.
02:53Say hi guys.
02:54In the earlier hours of the first day, the team enjoyed the last moments of warmth in the van,
03:02before setting off in the dark of a cold and rainy spring morning.
03:07The hike started off steadily, passing through parkland and old railways.
03:13The team is looking awesome, Phil is carrying his bagpipes.
03:16Phil give us a tune.
03:21It's brilliant.
03:23The Storm Dave has kept away and we are absolutely smashing it.
03:28So well done team.
03:29With the sun starting to shine through, the expected Storm Dave held off.
03:35So, we're on the trail.
03:38Stunning views.
03:39Look behind me what we walked through.
03:41Absolutely gorgeous.
03:42Team are doing superbly.
03:45High spirits, weather's lovely.
03:48Really not what we expected but the views are absolutely stunning.
03:53Look at the team behind me there, cracking on.
03:55Very proud of everyone.
03:57Very grateful to all our sponsors.
03:59The day came to an end after 18.4 miles and a 70 foot Evelation.
04:07We're at the end of day one.
04:08We're in Balmaha, opposite Loch Lomond.
04:12Yes.
04:13What an amazing day.
04:14The team, the entire team, the walkers, the support crew have absolutely smashed it.
04:20It's been incredible.
04:22It's been a fantastic day.
04:23Yeah.
04:23I thought lots of laughs.
04:25No tears.
04:25No.
04:26It's been good.
04:28And then a nice cooked dinner tonight.
04:30Homemade spag bowl.
04:31Homemade spag bowl.
04:32Yeah, we're looking for too.
04:34And then a nice breakfast in the morning to fill the walkers up.
04:3921 miles.
04:40How are you all feeling?
04:41Good as gold.
04:42Good as gold.
04:43And who are we doing this for?
04:46Woodstock.
04:47Woodstock.
04:47All for the kids.
04:48Have a great day guys.
04:50And wish you well walking.
04:51See you soon.
04:52See you soon.
04:53An early rise the next day, the team set out at 7am by foot, enduring the end of the storm.
05:02Through the water, over the hills and scrambling along the edge of Loch Lomond, the mood remained high, despite what
05:13the weather threw at them.
05:14From sun, rain, hail, sleet and snow.
05:21It's snowing.
05:23The support crew followed behind, but they received an unexpected call for help.
05:30We did have a bit of an emergency call from them.
05:34So we had to get a boat.
05:36And go and save them.
05:38Luckily they were fine.
05:40So we put the boat back.
05:41Health is on the way dearies.
05:43We're getting you aboard.
05:45We're going to roar to you.
05:48Thankfully, everything was alright.
05:50And the boat was left at the dock.
05:52Sun's out.
05:53Matt and I are looking beautiful with the snow on the top of them.
05:57And we're looking forward to meeting up with you for lunch.
06:00We've done an incredible, on my Garmin watch, 24 miles and 0.84.
06:07Nearly 25 miles.
06:09The terrain's been tricky.
06:10Really technical at points.
06:11And the team have been absolutely incredible.
06:14So proud of everyone here.
06:17Well done everyone.
06:19Amazing, amazing effort.
06:20The team was on foot for 13 hours.
06:25Tackling 24 miles of the journey in just one day.
06:30Taking them from Balmaha to Inferna.
06:35They ended the day 40 miles into the challenge.
06:41Day 3 and the walkers have boarded the bus.
06:47Day 3 brought kinder weather.
06:50Boosting the mood for the adventure ahead.
06:54With some of the walkers taking the day to rest.
06:58The other seven trekked on.
07:00With the day being celebrated throughout the 19.3 miles that was completed.
07:07But as it came to a close.
07:09The emotions started to show.
07:12After the support team handed out care packages.
07:16To encourage the team for the final push.
07:20It was a really good evening.
07:21Very emotional.
07:22But it just added to the bonding of the group.
07:27Motivating each other.
07:28Inspiring each other.
07:29To keep going.
07:31Everyone is tired.
07:32Even the support crew.
07:34Backless forwards, backless forwards.
07:36But we're in really good spirits.
07:38But with the lows.
07:39Came the highs.
07:41With the second to last day.
07:44Taking them.
07:45Through Glencoe mountains.
07:47Trailing the winding roads of Scotland.
07:50Look we've got Joe leading.
07:53Amy, Charlie, Phil and Tim.
07:56Making sure they're bringing home the guys in safe and sound.
08:00How was it Joe?
08:01Wonderful.
08:02Wonderful.
08:04Amy.
08:05Beautiful.
08:07Before taking on the highest point of the trek.
08:11Which took them 548 meters above sea level.
08:19Back to the bus for some refreshments.
08:22A little bit of refuel.
08:24A stop off if anybody needs to.
08:26Next step, Devil's Staircase.
08:28Day 4 nearly complete.
08:30You guys are just about to walk up the Devil's Staircase.
08:34Up to about 500 meters.
08:36Is that right?
08:37Yep.
08:37Are you all ready to go?
08:39We've already walked about 15 miles so far.
08:42Yep.
08:42Yep.
08:43So this little intrepid group are off.
08:46Up over the mountain.
08:47And back down again.
08:48And we will see you in about 3 hours.
08:51Good luck guys.
08:53See you later guys.
08:54See you later.
08:55Bye.
09:00On the final day.
09:01They set off.
09:03From Loch Leven.
09:05With the final 15 mile stretch.
09:08Taking them.
09:09All the way.
09:10Through.
09:11To Fort William.
09:14After a day.
09:15Of enjoying sights.
09:17From snow topped mountains.
09:19They celebrated.
09:21With a well earned dinner.
09:23And champagne.
09:24Come on turbo.
09:26Yay.
09:26Yay.
09:28But the hikers.
09:29Wouldn't have been able to do this themselves.
09:32Without the support team.
09:35Who had gone on a journey of their own.
09:37It's a beautiful day.
09:42Sarah and I have been a little bit left out.
09:44We haven't done anything extreme this trip.
09:46So we're going skiing.
09:48Woo hoo.
09:49We're up the Glencoe mountain.
09:50We're at the top of Glencoe mountain.
09:53It's exciting.
09:54It's absolutely stunning.
09:56We've got snow.
09:57We've got skiers behind us.
10:01Yeah.
10:02Life is good for the sport crew today.
10:05Therefore.
10:07An award was definitely in order.
10:12Pleasure and honour to support you all.
10:15And like I said.
10:17Honestly.
10:17I'll take my hat off to you all.
10:19Reflecting on the journey.
10:20Where they laughed.
10:22Cried.
10:23And got plenty of blisters.
10:25I went to the minor injuries in City Bourne.
10:29Just to get my feet checked out.
10:30Because they've been really painful for a number of days.
10:33They sent me to A&E.
10:35And I have an infection.
10:37I'm in my feet.
10:38Which is really, really bad.
10:39My feet are blistered all over the toes.
10:42And on the heels.
10:43So I have antibiotics.
10:45They were given a good clean.
10:47And I need to rest and elevate them now.
10:50Not a great finish.
10:53But at the same time.
10:55Shows, I guess, the determination on behalf of all of us.
10:58To raise the money.
10:59And complete the challenge.
11:01The group successfully completed the challenge.
11:04And raised over ÂŁ8,700.
11:11Allowing for Five Acre Woods Grand Festival.
11:15To go ahead.
11:17The West Highland Way Challenge.
11:20Demonstrates how far the staff of Five Acre Woods.
11:24Is willing to go for its students.
11:27Either that be 5.
11:28Or 500 miles.
11:34But I would walk 500 miles.
11:38And I would walk 500 more.
11:42Just to meet a man.
11:44To walk a thousand miles.
11:46Then fall down and shoot through.
11:49And I watch...
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