Katie Bedder and I are embarking on our latest challenge in order to raise money for an eye gaze system which will have a huge impact on the lives of our students at Birch Wood Special needs school.

Eye Gaze is a technology which gives children with non verbal communication and limited physical ability a voice and enables them to access the world using their eyes. A sensor attached to a screen tracks the movement of the eyes, based on the images presented on the screen. The movement of the eye is picked up by the sensor and is transmitted into the computer which generates choices on the screen. This then gives our students the ability to communicate and therefore allows them to engage in learning and have their voice heard. The impressive technology can be used to enhance and develop the lives of our students through games, creating pictures, making choices and to begin to control the environment around them.

At 9pm on Friday 21st September 2018, Katie and I will be starting our epic 47 mile journey across the peak district. With a time limit of 24 hours and 2,235m of ascent to tackle, we will without a doubt be testing our physical and mental ability, with only the views and landmarks to help us move in the right direction. Departing the Hope valley we will trek east up on to the Dark Peak moors, across Stanage edge, site of Robin Hood’s cave, and Foulstone Moor to reach Back Tor. Next it’s a descent to Ladybower Valley and across Ladybower reservoirs where the Dambusters trained for their bombing missions in WWII. We then climb to the geological oddity of Alport Castle, before descending to the vale of Edale through forests, Woodlands valley and the route of the Roman road. As dawn breaks we re-enter the western end of the Hope valley and head to beautiful Castleton, from where we will join the Limestone Way past Peveril Castle and Hay Dale. We will then meander through idyllic White Peak villages and the Derbyshire Dales nature reserves on our way up to Middleton Moor, treking towards Baslow. The home stretch follows the river Derwent north along the Derwent Valley heritage trail through rolling fields and alongside the chattering river to Padley where we will complete our challenge in Grindleford.

We have chosen to take part in this challenge to raise money for an Eye Gaze System as we know the impact of this equipment will be life changing for the students of Birch Wood Special School.

Please support us in reaching our goal, in any way you can.