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13
PHILANTHROPY
Abingdon Pupils to Undertake
Historic 63-mile Walk
Are today’s Abingdon pupils as physically fit and mentally tough as those in 1963?
We shall certainly find out!
50 years ago, in March 1963, a group of Abingdon pupils completed a 63-mile walk from
Worcester to Abingdon in around 24 hours, celebrating the then Quatercentenary of John
Roysse’s endowment of Abingdon School.
The number 63 is, of course, significant to Abingdon, since John Roysse was aged 63
in 1563 when he donated funds for a new schoolroom for no less than 63 pupils and
measuring precisely 63 feet long!
Fifty years later, a group of Abingdon pupils will attempt to undertake a walk of the same
length, this time along the Ridgeway starting in Wiltshire (43 miles) and then along the
Thames Path (20 miles). They will set off at 4pm on Sunday 28 April and should arrive
back at Abingdon around 4pm on Monday, 29 April.
A 63-mile walk in 24 hours is a gruelling challenge for anyone. The team of walkers has
decided to use this challenge to fundraise for Abingdon’s Bursary Fund and an external
charity (yet to be decided). They have set a target to raise £6,300 or £100 per mile.
To make fundraising and donation collection simple and easy (including gift aid),
the team has set up an Abingdon School fundraising web page for their walk
with Virgin Moneygiving:
Also want to walk,
but perhaps not the
full 63 miles?
Parents and Old Abingdonians are
invited to join the team of walkers for
the final 9 miles along the Thames
Path, from Dorchester to Abingdon.
All walkers – whether in for 63
miles or just 9 – are invited to raise
sponsorship money for Abingdon.
For details, visit
2013 marks the 450th anniversary of
Roysse’s major donation to Abingdon
School, which could be said to have
established the modern school, but
as importantly, 2013 marks 450 years
during which Abingdon School has
benefited from the generosity of many
individuals, starting with John Roysse.
In the spirit of Roysse’s founding gift
to Abingdon, we hope you will join in
our 450th anniversary celebration, as
a walker and/or as a donor for this
very special event!
n
Jan Wiejak, mathematics teacher, is
co-ordinating this year’s 63-mile walk
1963 walkers
2013 walkers
Please consider sponsoring the team for their 63-mile walk !
