Aspire Connect 40 Relay Challenge
The Aspire Connect 40 Relay Challenge was a trust-wide, team-focussed feat of endurance that took place from 6th to 15th March 2024, raising £4,227.17 for two fantastic causes, in equal part – Comic Relief Red Nose Day* and Youth Sport Trust**.
Circumnavigating the whole of Cornwall; 36 Aspire academies, two outdoor education centres (Carlyon Bay and Carnyorth) and two central core service buildings (Truro and St Austell) were connected via a non-competitive relay route with adult participants using only physical activity as the mode of travel. Whether walking, running, cycling, rowing or swimming, physical exertion was key and anything involving an engine strictly off limits (well, apart from a required brief stint on the St Mawes Ferry!)
The Aspire Connect 40 Relay Challenge route started at Bude Primary Academy on Wednesday 6th March and finished at Tregolls Academy, Truro on Comic Relief Red Nose Day - Friday 15th March, taking in the Clays, the Lizard and the far reaches of the west along the way. Each relay stage was carefully planned to connect one school, or Aspire setting, to another and depending on topography and distance, some involved stages being covered by pairs or groups, rather than an individual.
As each Aspire setting connected with another, a special baton containing a live tracker was officially handed over to the next active participant. Staff, children, family, and friends could ‘track’ the progress of the baton from the classroom or office via a web link provided by Geotracks Live. Highlights of the Aspire Connect 40 crew in action can be seen on the trust's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
This wasn’t just a fundraising event for the grown-ups. Aspire pupils were also actively involved, raising money for the two nominated charities through physical school-led activities either on the day the baton arrived on their doorstep, or on Red Nose Day itself, Friday 15th March. Donations via our multi-charity fundraising partner GiveWheel were split equitably between our two nominated charities, Comic Relief Red Nose Day and Youth Sport Trust.
A huge thank you to all our staff (particularly Rossi of St Breock Primary School), pupils, individual school communities and guest participants and to a host of local businesses and organisations volunteering their time and services: AGAME for providing t-shirts for all Aspire staff taking part; DT Coaching for providing energy drinks; The Shoe Boy for providing medals for all participants and a massive shout out to Vospers for loaning us a support vehicle and LJD Coaching for filling it with fuel! We couldn’t have done this without you.
And finally...
*In aid of Comic Relief, operating name of Charity Projects, a registered charity 326568 (England/Wales) and SC039730 (Scotland).
** Registered charity number: 1086915
Our nominated charities
Comic Relief is a major charity based in the UK established in 1985, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty. Its goal is to drive positive change through the power of entertainment. Red Nose Day 2024 raised £40,055,914.
The Youth Sport Trust is a UK leading children’s charity for improving young people's wellbeing through sport and play. It empowers young people and equips educators to transform lives through sport and play. Founded in 1995, it works with around 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport.