Sarah Dodd, the head of pastoral services at Hexham Priory School in Northumberland, has completed a gruelling 24-hour challenge to raise funds for a new purpose-built apartment at the school. The facility will help pupils with severe and complex special needs practice independent living skills in a safe environment.
The Challenge
Dodd ran and walked alternate laps of the athletics track at Hexham's Wentworth Leisure Centre for a full 24-hour period. The challenge took place during a blistering heatwave, with temperatures reaching the high 20s Celsius and barely dropping below 20°C overnight. The school described the conditions as "unbelievable."
Fundraising Goal and Purpose
Sarah aimed to raise £24,000 to convert existing school space into a purpose-built apartment. The apartment will include a kitchen and bathroom, allowing students to learn essential life skills such as washing clothes, making beds, and cooking meals. Assistant headteacher Sarah Nixon emphasized the importance of independence: "Obviously we're working with children with specialist educational needs, making independence the most important thing. We want the children to be as independent as possible."
Any funds raised above the target will be used to transform two spaces in the school into "much needed" sensory rooms.
Community Support
Throughout the challenge, students came down to support Dodd, and other charities, including WeCan, provided assistance. Even parents performed live music, reflecting the community's passion for the cause. Nixon said: "It was really exciting - we're really proud of Sarah."
Results
At the time of writing, the fundraiser had reached £26,692, exceeding the original £24,000 target by 111%. The school supports 130 young people aged 3 to 19 from Northumberland, all with severe and complex special needs.
Rising Demand for Specialist Education
The fundraiser highlights the increasing demand for specialist education in Northumberland. There are now more than 4,000 pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in the county, a figure that has surged by 104% since 2017.
