What’s been happening?

In an effort to help Wick High School pupils to improve their health and wellbeing in lockdown we have been encouraging all of our core PE classes (S1-6) to take part in physical activities on their PE days to get away from their screens and to be active outdoors (weather permitting).

We have also enlisted a group of staff from across the school to contribute miles to an ongoing challenge. Since 11 January we have been collating everyone’s miles completed each week and we hope to achieve the equivalent distance between Wick and Toyko – 5,587 miles – by 5 February. Why Toyko? The Olympic Games, 2021 will be celebrated in Toyko from 23 July to 8 August 2021. This is a huge celebration of sport and we hope to make our way (metaphorically) there to catch the action. As we enter the final week of the challenge we have less than 1000 miles to go!

As a reward for all the hard work pupils and staff have put into this challenge we have decided we would like to raise money for some local charities who are of benefit to the health and wellbeing of children and young people across Caithness. Information on each of the charities who will share any sponsorship raised for this challenge is included below. All are very worthy charities who will be key in providing opportunities to boost health and wellbeing both during the current lockdown period and in the period of recovery when life begins to return to something more resembling normality.

The Charities

Home-Start Caithness

Home-Start volunteers visit families at home each week, supporting parents in situations as diverse as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or who are just finding parenting a struggle. They provide non-judgemental practical and emotional support and help build the family’s confidence and ability to cope.

For more info see here: https://www.homestartcaithness.org.uk/what-we-do/

Caithness KLICS

Caithness KLICS is the only dedicated young carers project in Caithness and their aims are to support young people under the age of 18 who have a caring role at home. These young people can find themselves caring or supporting a parent for a variety of reasons and they could also be helping support a sibling. Caithness KLICS aim to support these young people through one to one support, group activities and by working with schools to ensure young carers reach the same potential as their peers. They have continued their excellent work throughout lockdown and have recently raised money to deliver counselling services during these difficult times.

For more info see here: http://www.spanglefish.com/caithnessklics/links.asp

Active Kids Caithness

Set up by local personal trainers Sarah Dunnet, Kris Hamilton and Bryan McKiddie, Active Kids Caithness aims to help children and young people locally have the chance to find their true potential through sport/physical activity and to experience different skills/sports/groups. The 3 founders do independent fundraising activities throughout the year through their fitness classes, and also run combined events involving their clients.

The charity was set up in June 2019, and has raised just under £11,000 so far which will make a huge difference to local school pupils. Some of this funding has already been pledged to help Newton Park Primary in Wick and Pennyland Primary in Thurso fund new sporting opportunities for their pupils. They also work with Caithness community connections who run activities during the summer holidays where kids can enjoy learning new skills and are provided with meals.

For more info see here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/439329519984708/about

Donate to the Tokyo Challenge Charity Fundraiser

To donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wickhightokyochallenge?utm_term=6x6AR894j