A DECADES-OLD tradition will continue next week as hundreds of De La Salle students take part in the school’s annual Island walk.
The charity fundraiser was first held in 1960, with around 300 students expected to take part in the 36-mile route to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Healing Waves – charities chosen by the school’s Student Charities Committee.
Starting from the first lay-by on The Esplanade and ending back at Liberation Square, year groups will set off in staggered start times for safety on Tuesday morning.
The college has typically raised between £15,000 and £20,000 annually through the walk, and students who finish the course in under the ‘plaque’ time of 10 hours and 15 minutes will receive an engraved plaque.
Medals will be awarded to those who complete 12 miles (bronze), 24 miles (silver), or gold for the full 36 miles.
Luc Langlois currently holds the record – completing the course in four hours, 28 minutes and 45 seconds.
There is also the ‘Challenge for Ben Plaque,’ donated by the Poole family, commemorating their son who died while training with the Royal Marines in 2008. This plaque is awarded to students who complete the walk seven times during each of their school years.
