Students '˜climb' Pendle to help Pendleside Hospice

The group from Pendle Community College climbed all 557m of Pendle Hill on the indoor climbing wall at the Pendle Vale Campus.

Alongside the sponsored climb, Murtaza Muhammad, completed a supported cycle of the distance of four laps of the velodrome on a specially adapted bike.

Murtaza’s wheelchair was clamped onto the front of the adapted bike and he enjoyed cycling in the sunshine, in front of a crowd of his peers.

The group all had learning disabilities and organised the fund-raiser as part of the current affairs course they are studying.

They have been researching different local charities, fund-raising ideas and how to help the local community and voted to raise money for the hospice.

Member of staff Sian Woodhead said: “Some of the climbers were more experienced than others, but each one gave it their maximum effort and the height was reached within the time limit.

“Vikki Bassek from Pendleside Hospice came along to see the event and even took part and added four ascents to the tally of climbs.

“The whole afternoon was a huge success, with all students feeling a real sense of achievement and a fantastic team effort, with lots of shouts and cheers of encouragement.

“Sponsor money is still being collected and the total should be somewhere in the region of £250.”