Ifield School is a Foundation co-educational special school for pupils aged 4 to 19 years based in Gravesend, Kent. The school’s aim is to provide an outstanding and supportive learning environment: one which allows everyone to achieve their best, with high self-esteem and respect for others in the community. Plans have been approved for a new centre of excellence, providing a sports, art and cultural centre for children, their families and the community to be built in the grounds of Ifield School. I am looking to support the School over the coming years. I have an affinity with the school due to my late father teaching there during his final working years before retirement. After his retirement he was still involved with support right up until he passed away from cancer, which he battled for 3 years before finally losing the fight in August 2016 aged 66. As a way of raising awareness of the funding required for Ifield School project, we have decided to complete the 3 Peaks challenge in July 2017. This will consist of climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England (Lake District) and finally Snowdon in Wales. The challenge is made that much harder due to completing all 3 mountains (including travel in-between) within 24 hours. Scafell Pike will also be additionally hard as we will be climbing up and down in the DARK
While the project has been granted outline planning permission by Kent County Council, this is just the first of many hurdles along the way. The school will now be able to progress discussions with potential funders, the amount of money required is in the millions and will need support from everyone possible to get this project completed. The money we are looking to raise as part of the challenge will not only help start the school funding this project but more importantly will hopefully raise a huge amount of awareness and hopefully attract investors who will be interested in putting a significant amount of money towards this project.