FOURTEEN years ago, Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, together with St. Mary’s School, Menston established the now multi award winning Bambisanani Partnership which uses sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.

A few weeks ago Mnyakanya School contacted the Bambisanani Partnership charity with the terrible news that they had no water supply which meant that the school could not reopen safely after the coronavirus lockdown of schools in South Africa, as basic hygiene requirements such as hand washing could not be carried out. The Acting Principal of the school Mrs Thulie Mkhize spoke of young people ‘starting to lose hope’ in a school that offers hope above all else in one of the country’s most remote and deprived areas.

In order to get running water reinstated at the school, students and staff from St. Marys have started a fund raising campaign which involves members of the school community collectively running, walking or cycling the equivalent distance from Menston to Mnyakanya – 8709 miles! Led by teacher Miss Charlotte Wood, the initial challenge involved 21 students and staff from the school who are directly involved in the partnership’s work in South Africa, including current and former members of staff: Charlotte Wood, Catherine Chattoe, Matt Harvey, Brad Dobson, David Geldart and Year 12 students: Joseph Nicol, Archie Bange, Ellie Woffenden, Gabriel Beaumont, Millie Carroll, Theo Humpreys, Joe Newman, Oscar Helliwell, Catherine Westhead, Caitlin Copsey, Kizzy Tremlett, Sabrina Spilker, Aisling Hendron, Dion Barber, Emma Kerrigan and Luca Volpe.

Last weekend, a 10k run, cycle or walk event was completed by all the team which also saw many more teachers from the school join the challenge including: Mr Hearle, Mrs Hayes, Mrs Rix, Mr Pringle, Mrs Wilson, Miss Chrispin, Mrs Beesting, Miss Anderson, Mrs Thornton, Miss Rogers, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Findlay, Mrs Harrison, Ms Pettifer, Mr Dennett, Mr Steingold, Mrs Hanson, Mr Thornton, Miss Mason and Mrs Doyle.

Collectively, the team have now completed 1665 miles, which on the long road to South Africa takes them to Almeria in Spain. With all team members clocking up the miles on a daily basis, the destination will hopefully be reached by November which, will culminate in many of them competing in the Leeds 10k. The aim is to raise over £5000 which will not only reinstate clean water to the school but also increase the number of taps and improve plumbing.

David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership said: “This is a fantastic initiative which will hopefully get Mnyakanya students back into school safely so they can start improving their life chances again. We take washing our hands and having clean water to drink for granted; it is difficult to comprehend life without access to water, particularly in these unprecedented and challenging times. The only guaranteed meal that many of these youngsters get is when they are at school – during the lockdown. This has obviously not been happening so it essential to get the school open again as soon as possible. I thank everyone involved in this challenge and indeed those supporting it – you really will make a difference.”

To donate to the charity to support this initiative please visit www.bambisananipartnership.org or contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org