Nicole Corley, an A Level student at The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is organising a sponsored walk event as part of her Extended Project Qualification.

On Saturday 20th March, from 10am-6pm, Nicole and a team of students and staff from RNC, hope to walk an accumulated 500 miles around the College campus. Members of the public are also invited to join in the challenge virtually, from wherever they are in the world.

There have been lots of plot twists in organising the event as Nicole has had to change plans to follow the latest government advice. What was going to be a public event, in a public park, has had to be pared down but this new, hybrid event won’t stop everyone joining in the fun.

Nicole says:

‘I chose to do a sponsored walk as I wanted to do something that would encourage people to get outside in the fresh air. Being outdoors really helps with mental and physical wellbeing, particularly at a time when we’ve been so restricted through lockdown.’

If you’d like to help Nicole reach her mileage target by going for a walk alone or with your usual household bubble in a location near to you, download the free Strava App on your phone and search for ‘EPQ Sponsored Walk’. Once you’ve joined in the event, the miles you accrue will be added to the accumulated target automatically.

Please also share your walk selfies using the hashtag #RNCTeam500 and hashtag the name of the place you are walking e.g. #Hereford

Nicole is a student ambassador at the College and really hopes that, if people can’t take part in the walk, they might support it through sponsorship instead. Nicole is hoping to raise funds to help purchase a film projector and screen so that students can make the most of their social time on campus, while restrictions are still in place.

You can donate to Nicole’s fundraising appeal here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nicole-corley-group-sponsored-walk

If you are intending to join the walk virtually, please be sure to follow the latest government guidance in your area.

Nicole tightens up her shoelaces in readiness for a training walk around the RNC Orchard.

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