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HSDC students trek 100 miles for DoE Gold

November 11, 2020

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Twenty-one intrepid HSDC students trekked 100 miles of the South Downs Way to achieve the expedition section of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The students, from all three HSDC campuses, started in Eastbourne and walked their way through wet, windy and sometimes dark conditions to end six days later in Winchester.

Participants must complete all five sections – volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential – to earn their Gold Award. The expedition portion involves planning, training for and completing an agreed trip unaccompanied and completely self-reliant. Due to COVID-19 restrictions groups were not allowed to camp out overnight, so the students were dropped off each morning, finishing their designated daily section in a regulated amount of time.

The staff involved were thrilled with the students’ accomplishment. Kirsty Harley, the trip organiser, commented:

“This is a tough challenge without the added weight of full expedition kit and weather conditions. Well done to all those who took part.”

The students who were involved in the expedition phase all agreed it was great to finish; however, they underestimated the aches and pains of walking 100 miles and felt that the wet and windy weather on the last day was hard work!

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is one of many extra-curricular opportunities available to HSDC students. Click here to find out more about what we offer.