I'm raising £2000 to purchase literacy resources for schools, and support mental health charities.

Organised by Samuel Poole
Schools and education

Story

Staff from the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, known as the TSAT Terriers, will be swapping books and classrooms for mud, hills, and a lot of determination this October with the aim to raise £2,000 to support a love of reading and for mental health charities.

The Commando Series Challenge, led by Michelle Smith and Dan High, will see a team taking on the 12km Commando Series obstacle race at Hever Castle on Sunday 12th October, raising vital funds to support literacy and reading resources across our trust.

A proportion of the money will also support mental health charities within the regions our schools serve.

Michelle shared why this challenge matters:

“Reading opens doors, not just to learning, but to confidence, imagination and achievement. When a child has access to the right books and the encouragement and support to read, they’re not just building skills for school, they’re building on their life chances for the future. At the same time, we know that good mental wellbeing underpins every success. Reading can be a mindful escape, a way to slow down, reflect, and find calm. By supporting this challenge, you’re helping us give children both the tools to achieve and the space to thrive.”

The Commando Series is no walk in the park; there will be mud runs, tunnels, and real Royal Marines-style obstacles. But it’s all worth it to make a lasting difference for our students and the wider community.

Here’s how you can help:

Donate to our fundraiser: Every contribution helps us provide better books, resources, and mental health support across our schools.

Join the team: Think you've got what it takes? We’re inviting staff, friends, and families to join the TSAT team. Find out more at commandoseries.co.uk

Together, let’s turn sweat and teamwork into opportunity and support where it’s needed most.

The team participating: Daniel Botting, Michelle Smith, Tracey Baillie, Simon Brown, Philip Carey, Dan High, Andrew Kershaw.

About fundraiser

Samuel Poole
Organiser

Donation summary

Total
£1,135.00