‘Team Solihull’, an 18 strong group of Solihull School pupils and staff, past and present, have undertaken the 53KM Cotswold Way Challenge and raised an astonishing £60,000 to save the sight of over 2,000 of Sri Lanka’s poorest people by funding Cataract Camps with the support of two charities, Assist RR UK and IMHO USA.

The team, which was led by Mark Penney, Head of Solihull Prep School, signed up to the Action Ultra Challenge event which took place in June and walked 53KM in one day, starting the hilly trek at 8.40am and finishing some 15 hours later, just after midnight.

Mr Penney said: “From the minute we suggested our latest fundraising idea, colleagues were eager to sign up. The team quickly grew and we began our training walks.  Before we knew it we were a group of 18 and, at 6am on Saturday 26 June, we set off in two Solihull minibuses from our Saint Martin’s campus to our start line in the Cotswolds.

Mr Penney, who was joined on the walk by his wife Donna and children Max and Amelia, added: “This special group of people achieved something very special! Whilst the event was physically challenging, the camaraderie and positivity from ‘Team Solihull’ was outstanding and the support of the school community was extraordinary.

“When combining our Solihull School UK Virgin Money Giving page, our IMHO fundraising page and their very generous $20,000 pledge matching, our Prep School Charity Week and Old Silhillian Harry Morgan’s individual fundraising page, we raised over £60,000. Our sincere and grateful thanks to all who contributed, it’s been an unforgettable experience and the proceeds will transform the lives of over 2,000 people immeasurably.”

The Penney family and the Solihull School community have supported both charities over a number of years, raising funds for educational, medical and livelihood projects across the poorest parts of Sri Lanka.

Solihull School’s commitment to Community Relations continues this academic year and the members of ‘Team Solihull’ are looking forward to planning their next charity challenge.