Clare and Caitlin take 5700 flights to South Africa

The Culcheth-2-Soweto project is a student exchange programme involving Culcheth High School and Matseliso High School in Soweto, South Africa.

Over the last 12 months my daughter Caitlin has been working hard to raise funds for the Project. She’s done all sorts: sponsored walks in pyjamas, dog walking, sold her toys and books, sold her clothes, baked cakes and much more. The money raised enabled the first part of the project to happen and in July 2018 a group of students from South Africa spent a week with the students in Culcheth. It’s fair to say the visit had a massive impact on Caitlin. It was such a valuable lesson for her to hear how hard some kids have to work to get the basics; the things that our children just take for granted. And the way that the children embraced each other, despite the obvious difference in their backgrounds was truly humbling to witness.

In July Caitlin took part in a selection process which involved interviews, presentations and team challenges – not easy for a 13 year old. So I was immensely proud to find out that she had been selected for the next stage of the programme. She will travel to Soweto in October 2019 to discover first-hand what life is like for the children of Soweto. There is no doubt this will be a life changing experience for her.

And so the fundraising begins It’s around 5700 miles (as the crow flies) from Culcheth to Soweto. So we have set ourselves a target to take 5700 flights.... of stairs before the end of the year. That’s 73 flights of stairs to climb between us each day! Those of you that know us well will know that’s quite a challenge for us. But we are determined to do it. Your support would be massively appreciated.

Thanks

Clare Lea