Students, staff and parents at Llanishen High School have raised a significant sum, over £6000, by completing a virtual challenge to travel to Patagonia in March.

The challenge involved walking, running, cycling and scooting the 12,000 miles it would take to reach Patagonia, the only other Welsh speaking country in the world. It was completed as part of City Hospice’s 100 Heroes Challenge.

Head of Physical Education Harry Trelawny organised the challenge with the PE department, getting over 300 staff, students, parents and alumni to take part.

The challenge was a great success and the school are entering into a long-term charity partnership with City Hospice.

City Hospice is Cardiff’s local hospice, providing care to people with terminal or life limiting illnesses such as cancer, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and motor neurone disease (MND).

The only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital, the charity provides care to 550 patients at any one time.

Harry Trelawny, Head of PE at Llanishen High School, said: “We wanted to raise money for City Hospice and the 100 Heroes Challenge was the perfect solution to do this and help get everyone active during lockdown.

“We named the team LHS Heart & Sole, as everyone involved really did put everything into this challenge. It was incredible to see so many people, from caretakers, pupils and staff to parents and ex-pupils, get involved in the challenge and raise money for City Hospice. The Hospice has helped so many families in our school community and we are delighted to have raised such a large amount for them.”

Sarah Parry, Head Teacher at Llandaff High School, said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Llanishen High for taking part in the challenge for City Hospice, and give a big thank you to everyone who has donated. The challenge has really helped bring us together as a school and community at a time when we have all spent too much time apart.

“I am delighted that we have raised so much money for City Hospice, as I know it will help them to continue to look after those who need it in such difficult times. I am really looking forward to the school and City Hospice working together in partnership in the future”.

Liz Andrews, Chief Executive Officer at City Hospice, said: “We are really grateful to everyone at Llanishen High School who has been involved on the journey to Patagonia. What an incredible challenge it has been, involving so many! The fundraising for our charity will really make a difference to the patients and the families we care for and we are delighted that we will be charity partners in the future”.

To find out more about City Hospice’s 100 Heroes Challenge, please visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/upcoming-events/100-heroes-challenge/