By Lower Sixth students, Kimya Ghods, Amy Hall and Annabel Mulooly

On a beautiful autumnal Sunday morning, a dedicated team of Years 9 and Sixth Form students and staff set out to walk 10 miles as part of fundraising for our international charity, United World Schools (UWS). The global charity gives children in remote communities in Cambodia, Nepal. Myanmar and Guatemala access to a quality, inclusive education.  

Part of our school ethos is for the BGS community to connect and engage to make a difference to the world around us. BGS and UWS values are aligned in terms of the importance of education for girls and the value they place on growth, sustainability and investment in people.

We set off from BGS at 8:30am and walked along the picturesque Embankment and through the Priory Marina; we discovered more walking paths and saw Bedford in a different light. After walking through the woodlands, we arrived at the Danish Camp, where we stopped for a break and some food. Shortly after, we continued our journey making our way back to school for 1.30pm.

Although our legs and feet ached, we felt a sense of accomplishment and had a greater understanding for the distances that many young people have to take to walk to school to gain access to an education. Our partner school Dal Phnom in Cambodia has recently reopened after a six month lockdown and 48 girls and 35 boys have returned to school.

It was also a great bonding experience between the students in the different groups, and with the teachers, Miss Dawson, Mrs Axford and Miss Higginson. We were grateful to be given the opportunity to take part in this challenge and for the gorgeous autumnal weather. 

Sophie Wilshin (Year 9) added: “The walk was a great experience which I really enjoyed! It was for an amazing charity and I hope all the money I raised will help many children who are not as fortunate as me, to get a better education.”

The final total of money raised was £730.