Why I’m Taking Part

When my friend Dan asked me to take part in this challenge, I was immediately drawn to what Archway Building Consultancy and United World Schools are trying to achieve.

As a father, it’s easy to take for granted that our children can attend a local school and receive an education without facing a difficult journey every day. The thought of children being denied those same opportunities simply because of where they were born really puts things into perspective.

Having also recently turned 50, this felt like the right time to challenge myself and help create something that will continue changing lives long after our 30 days of walking are finished.

Together, we’re raising money to help build a brand-new school in the remote community of Odane, Nepal.

The Purpose

The new school will provide 11 classrooms for approximately 110 children who currently face significant barriers to accessing education.

The nearest school is around 1.5 hours away across steep and difficult terrain, meaning some children spend up to three hours every day walking to and from school. Others are unable to attend regularly because the journey is simply too demanding.

Imagine being a child and spending hours travelling before you’ve even opened a book.

This project will provide much more than a school building. It will provide clean water through a well, safe washing facilities, solar power, classroom furniture and a secure place for children to learn, develop and build a brighter future.

The Challenge

As part of this fundraising effort, our team will be virtually walking the entire perimeter of Nepal, covering more than 3,000 km between us.

I have personally committed to completing 300 km over 30 days. That means averaging 10 km every day for an entire month—rain or shine, workday or weekend.

I’m normally more at home covering long distances on my road bike. Walking 300 km, however, will be a completely different challenge. There will undoubtedly be some sore legs, early mornings and difficult days, but I’m determined to complete every kilometre.

I’ll be taking part while representing both DC Smith Electrical and DC Smith Auto Sales, and I’ll share regular updates throughout the challenge so everyone can follow my progress.

The Target

Together, we are aiming to raise £40,000 to help build the new school.

Even better, every donation will be matched pound for pound by Archway Building Consultancy up to the fundraising target, meaning your contribution will have double the impact:

£10 becomes £20

£25 becomes £50

£50 becomes £100

£100 becomes £200

Every pound genuinely goes twice as far.

This is an opportunity to help build a real school for real children—creating 11 classrooms, opportunities for 110 pupils and a future where education is within reach rather than a three-hour round trip away.

If you’re able to sponsor me, whatever the amount, I would be extremely grateful. Every donation and every share will make a difference, and every step will take us closer to making this school a reality.

Thank you for your support.

Daniel Smith

DC Smith Electrical | DC Smith Auto Sales