Pupils at Ipswich Prep School have been challenged to travel to Ipswich in Australia during the current lockdown.

It’s not as crazy as it might sound – the pupils are clocking up the miles during family walks as part of their daily exercise, and it’s part of the school’s fundraising for Suffolk Mind.

The task was adapted by Ipswich Prep’s Director of Sport, Bill Williams, from the ‘100 miles for Suffolk Mind’ challenge. Originally 36 staff members and Lola, the school’s therapy dog, were clocking up the miles, but this has been extended to include pupils as well.

Mr Williams said: “It is so important that we are all getting outside into the fresh air and away from screens, and this also means we can support such a fantastic local charity who are doing so much to aid everyone’s mental health in Suffolk.”

Currently the Prep community has covered 7,157 miles towards the 10,109 total. Staff have completed 5,877 miles since they started in October, and currently Year 5 are in second place, having covered 366 miles during the Christmas holidays and into the start of the new year.

There is an online donation page where people can give money to support Suffolk Mind:  https://giving.suffolkmind.org.uk/giving-pages/ipswich-prep-school-100-miles-for-suffolk-mind

Over £2,388 has been raised so far. The Prep School also raised £3210 for Suffolk Mind during the last school year.