Going far for National Star

National Star supporters are going the distance for young people with complex disabilities by signing up to our Go Far, Be a Star fundraising challenge.

National Star Physiotherapy Assistant Jack Bennett is swimming the length of the English Channel in memory of a student who died. Jack started the challenge, which will see him swim 21 miles and just over 2,000 lengths, in January.

‘I have been a confident swimmer my whole life, and the pool has always been a big part of my life. However, it’s the first time I’ve taken on a challenge like this,’ Jack said.

‘At National Star I worked closely with a student who passed away, and one of the best memories I have with that student is swimming with them and supporting them in the pool. They loved swimming, so I wanted to do something in honour of them.’

Jade Claridge, Behaviour Support Practitioner at National Star, has pledged to walk or run 100 miles throughout May. It was important to Jade that her challenge coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 21 May).

‘I think it’s really important to link physical exercise with mental health and wellbeing,’ said Jade.

‘I started to run at the start of lockdown. It was a scary world, not knowing what was going to happen. I discovered running and found that a balanced amount of exercise had a massive positive impact on my mental health.’

Jade hopes to smash her £200 fundraising target.

‘I will always have a passion for supporting a wonderful organisation like National Star. I see every single day the incredible impact that we have on the students.’

Former National Star students have also been keen to get involved. Molly Lane is raising money by swimming 20 lengths of her local pool, over a 20–week period.

As part of Go Far, Be a Star, fundraisers are able to choose their challenge, as well as the distance. There is no registration fee and the challenge can be completed any time.

So far more than £3,000 has been raised from the challenge, with the proceeds going towards National Star’s Building a Brighter Future Development Fund.

Stars who have gone far

National Star colleagues Claire Smith and Charlotte Davis walked the 124 miles around the Ring of Kerry, without even setting foot on Irish soil! They smashed their £750 target.

Kirby and her trusty steed Smarty rode 70 miles through the glorious Cotswold countrywide, raising £500.

National Star students recorded their ski miles for the challenge when skiing in Andorra, raising £600.

National Star student Leo raised £327 by completing a race around the mobility maze at Ullenwood within 30 minutes.

Fourth–year student Katie cycled 100 miles on her trike around our Ullenwood campus, raising £290.