For 24 hours between the 10th and 11th of January, Benenden School in Kent took part in a squash tournament to raise vital funds for the research we fund at nsif.
Aiming to get 4 people on the court at any given time, Benenden School set themselves the unenviable task of getting over 200 people involved in the tournament – filling their squash courts to maximum capacity throughout the 24 hours. “It involved much organisation getting girls in and out of boarding houses during the night but they were fab!” said Louise Hall – Director of Sport, Fitness and Wellbeing at Benenden School.
Claire Lomas, a key supporter of nsif and advocate for spinal research, visited Benenden School on various occasions to give inspirational talks about living with spinal injury and fundraising. These events inspired the students to raise vital funds for a cause that is close to their hearts.
Spinal research is something the school does not take for granted. In August of last year one of their students suffered an unfortunate accident and broke her neck. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the US and her friends wanted to help in any way they could. “Some of her friends were keen to run the squash marathon again and we felt it would be a good event to run to raise considerable money for such an important charity and something that was close to our hearts,” said Louise.
The event was so successful that the school has decided to continue their fundraising efforts for nsif as they look to raise over £12,000. Their next event will be a 12-hour netball marathon, which they aim to couple with the sale of sweets and refreshments as they attempt to reach their fundraising target by the end of the academic year.
Their wonderful support goes a long way in helping fund a cure to spinal injury and although they are raising money for such vital research, they are also having fun along the way. “Everyone loved being part of it,” Louise told us.
If you want to help Benenden School reach their fundraising target, please visit their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/BenendenSchool24hrSquashMarathon/
If you’re inspired by Benenden and want to set up your own fundraiser email: alice@nsif.org.uk.
