Long Sutton to Land’s End

There can’t be many schools that can lay claim to having three members of their community travelling the length of Britain at the same time.

 

But right now, LWC Upper Sixth Former, Phoebe, 4^th Former, Will and Governor, Kevin are all tackling the thousand-mile journey, often regarded as the ultimate UK challenge.

 

Phoebe is the veteran of the group, currently six weeks into her journey, which began at John o’ Groats on Saturday, 20^th June. She is running alongside dad, Chris, in a challenge which isn’t scheduled to end until she reaches the finish line at Land’s End in late August.

 

Phoebe was inspired to attempt to become the youngest woman to run the length of Britain, having read about Imogen Boddy, who achieved the feat in 2022 at the age of 22. At 18, Phoebe, who fell in love with running at LWC, is also taking the opportunity to spend time with her fellow long-distance-running dad, before she starts a medicine degree in September.

 

As she skirts around the edge of the Midlands right now, Phoebe has been boosted by the support she’s received and the donations made for the Lord Wandsworth Foundation and the National Autistic Society on her fundraising page. More than a week after crossing the Scotland/England border, she was greeted by extreme British ultra runner, Sharon Gayter. Sharon completed the journey between Land’s End and John o’ Groats in just 12 days and holds a Commonwealth Gold for running 140 miles in just 24 hours. She was keen to track Phoebe and Chris down after LWC reached out to her with Phoebe’s story.

 

“I found Phoebe and Chris emerging from a field,” explained Sharon, who lives in the North of England. “They thought I might be a farmer! Absolutely amazing! They were in great spirits and looked as if they were out for a daily run, you would never have guessed how far they had come. They looked well in control and are running it very sensibly.”

   

Meanwhile, now travelling in the opposite direction to Phoebe, is 4^th Former, Will. Unlike his fellow LWC student, Will and his family are making the trip on two wheels, rather than two feet, in a challenge that was the brainchild of Will’s sister, Chloe, who has cerebral palsy.

 

Chloe has been developing a love of cycling since the age of two and was keen to make the journey from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, having watched a film of her dad taking part in a similar challenge years ago. Together with 15-year-old Will, her 19-year-old older brother, Nicko and dad, Tom, 17-year-old Chloe is raising money for Treloar’s in Alton, where she goes to school and PALS (Partners for Active Leisure Scheme) West Berkshire, both of which have supported her throughout her life. Her mum, Alex and faithful Labrador, Koda, are following in a support van until the end of the challenge in mid-August.

 

“For Chloe, cycling has been transformational,” Alex revealed. “What began as therapy became freedom, confidence and pure joy. Watching her prepare to take on something of this scale has been emotional for all of us.”

     

The family are currently, like Phoebe, in the middle of England, having already raised more than £20,000 via their fundraising page. “This challenge is about much more than cycling,” admitted dad, Tom. “It represents how far our family has come. To be doing this together, with all three of our children, feels incredibly special.”

 

And last but certainly not least is LWC governor and experienced ‘LEJOGGER,’ Kevin Barwick, who also set off last weekend from Land’s End, with the aim of reaching John o’ Groats in 14 days.

     

Mr Barwick completed the challenge a decade ago and, just ahead of his 70^th birthday, is keen to do the same again, aiming to travel an average of 70 miles a day to pay homage to his landmark year.

 

Kevin has worked with LWC for the last ten years and has been a governor since 2024. Via his fundraising page, he is supporting the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Woolmen and Abby’s Heroes.

 

“The difference that LWC makes to students is incredible,” Kevin explained. “Through its Foundation, it educates children who have lost the support of one or both parents, primarily through bereavement. I hope that my ride will continue to help make a difference for them.”

 

These three very different journeys all stem from a College community which values adventure, character, compassion and connection at its core. We can’t wait to watch them cross their respective finish lines, having all been transformed by the experience in some way, forever.