UPDATE: Fundraising tally reaches £29,800

Over 200 pupils, staff, parents and OOs joined forces last weekend to support the Non-Stop! Charity Challenge in aid of the Oswestry School Performing Arts Centre appeal. The 24 hour fundraising event was hugely successful in bringing the school community together to raise funds for the appeal.

Pupils from across Prep and Senior School rose to the occasion by taking on various tough personal challenges to raise sponsorship. Led and inspired by Mr Middleton's 50K treadmill run, Mr Taylor's 80k trek along the Offa's Dyke path from Prestatyn in North Wales to Oswestry, Miss Hollywell's Olympic Triathlon challenge, and Mr Howell's 24-hour caricature-athon, our school community did not shy away from the call to action.  

The whole school gathered on the Quad to mark the beginning of the challenge at 2pm Friday, March 7th and were joined by Chris Wylie OO (1954-59) who presented a cheque for £3000 to the school to start the fundraising off. 

Chris, accompanied by his wife Judith, then stayed to watch as the whole school was treated to a fun aerobics session courtesy of Mr Lane, Mr Mahony and Mr Price. 

And then the challenges began! There was an Ice-bath challenge; Hill-top Walk; Wacky Football; One Bounce challenge; 4th Form girls v. boys netball; Bird Feeder challenge; Spin-the-Wheel Art challenge and a Tennis challenge. 

Meanwhile, Prep School pupils challenged themselves to an '8am 'til late' sponsored walk around the Maes-y-Llan which has already raised close to £3000 for the appeal. Whilst all this was happening, Mr Middleton and Six Form pupils were furiously running, pedalling and rowing on aparatus set up in the middle of the Quad. 

There followed throughout the next 24hours performances and activities in the Drama Studio aimed at encouraging the school community to take part in whatever capacity they could.

There was music by the school's rock bands and a Jazz and Blues session with Mr Squire and Mr Boothby. Director of Music, Jonny Fitch led a wonderful two-hour session of community singing, open to all. He managed to get some glorious two part-harmonies out of his impromptu choir, to the delight of the fundraisers running on the treadmill, spinning on bikes and working the rowing machine. 

Other activities included dance sessions with the Oswestry School Dance Academy, Victoria Evans and Librarian Mrs Ailsa Lane; a boot camp, yoga session and gymnastic session; karaoke, a 10pm to midnight 90s Rave with Mr Price as DJ, and much more.

Saturday morning brought Dad's ballet, a Tennis challenge, sport on the Quad with Prep School pupils led by Head of Sports, Mrs Suckley as well as lots of music and dancing in the Drama Studio.

Miss Hollywell completed her triathlon in style, amid cheers and whoops from on-lookers and supporters.

Throughout all the activities, our 24hour challenge pupils, who stayed up for the full 24hours with key staff, continued to cycle, run and row as part of the challenge. Finally, Mr Taylor arrived to a hero's welcome when he walked into school after his mammoth 80k trek, with half an hour to spare!  

For those who could not be there in person, cameras were set up in the Quad and the Drama Studio to live-stream all the action via the internet to parents, family and friends across the UK and the world. 

The 24hour challenge ended with a countdown, more whoops and cheers, confetti cannons, singing, clapping and a few words of thanks to all those who played their part by Mr Middleton. 

If you feel inspired to support our 24hour Challenge team, there is still time.

Please click here to make a donation to our fundraising page.