STAFF and students from Route 39 Academy hiked from Clovelly to Bucks Cross on the last day of term, for a charity camp-out in aid of disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.

The event was the culmination of a project launched by Bideford Rotary Club in January. Students learned from Rotary Club member, Mike Smith, how ShelterBox provides boxes of emergency supplies to communities around the world who are overwhelmed by humanitarian crisis. They were then challenged to create their own shelterboxes.

Students undertook the project entirely in Spanish, producing presentations to explain which items they had chosen to include and why. Their choices were put to the test as they carried equipment to Steart Farm for a night out in the elements.

Year 10 student Frankie said: “It was definitely an experience! Carrying our packs through the mud and heavy rain gave us a taste of the tiredness and anticipation which must be felt by people involved in a disaster. But we also really enjoyed the independence of setting up camp and cooking for ourselves outdoors.”

The academy will be raising more money for ShelterBox and North Devon Hospice at a Promise Auction on July 15.

For more information visit bit.ly/R39PromiseAuction or contact 01237 431969.