Hill trek is hit with 40 brave souls
First years’great hike effort
First year students from St Aidan’s High School took part in the annual sponsored hike to the summit of Tinto Hill on Thursday, May 26.
Forty intrepid first years, led by their Principal Teacher of Pupil Support Mr Martin Dunnery tackled the mistshrouded, damp and cold hill in aid of Saint Andrew’s Hospice.
The fog was so dense that one group was turned back before the summit but another group made it all the way to the top when conditions brightened a little for them. However, once there, they were met by temperatures of minus two degrees centigrade which was a bit of a shock to them but the first years and their teachers are a hardy bunch!
As the students returned from the summit they proved their environmental credentials by scouring the hillside for litter and returning with several full bin- bags. The organisers of the event praised the St Aidan’s students for the commitment and enthusiasm that they brought to the day.
Alex Aitchison of 1t1 commented: “It was a good experience but climbing Tinto was harder than I thought. It was fun but challenging and it was great to raise over £1400 for Saint Andrew’s Hospice”
James Craig of 1t5 echoed Alex’s thoughts and added: “It was very challenging doing the climb but we were more than happy to do it as it was a good cause.
“It was a good bunch of people that we went to the top with. The students and the teachers being on the same challenge made the day even more fun”
Mr Dunnery glowed with pride in his year group when speaking about the day and said: “The first years made a great effort! They kept smiling even when it was cold and murky.
“They are a great group of young people and I am really happy about the positive way that they responded to the challenging conditions.”