University staff taking on rambling challenge set by nine-year-old

Posted 6 October 2016

Three members of staff at Harper Adams University have been inspired by a nine-year-old to go rambling this weekend in aid of Children in Need.

The fundraising ramble across the Stiperstones will take place on Rosa Wood’s 10th birthday, and has been organised by Rosa in memory of her dad, Paul, who passed away in 2015. The Shropshire ramble will be part of a nationwide effort led by BBC Countryfile to raise much needed money to support children and their families.

Rosa explains: “We watched the Countryfile programme about the family whose dad was ill. Our dad died recently from cancer and we were looked after brilliantly by Severn Hospice. My birthday is on Sunday 9th October and we are going to ramble on the Stiperstones, which was one of my dad's favourite places.

“Our ramble starts at 11 o'clock and we will have a picnic on the Devil's Chair, which is a big rock on top of the hill and when the mist comes down the legend says the devil is sitting in his chair. We would love it if you could come and ramble with us and donate to our page.”

Rosa is raising money through a Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rosa-Wood Donations are still welcome, as are more ramblers on Sunday!

Rosa’s mum, Vicky, started as a lecturer and researcher at Harper Adams three months ago, and already knew colleagues Jim Monaghan and Emma Pierce-Jenkins as fellow parents of pupils at Longden School, close to the Stiperstones Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). All three will be taking part in the ramble with their children, including Rosa’s eight-year-old brother, Jacob.

Vicky said: “It started quite small with family and close friends, but has grown such that we now expect around 120 people to turn out, including a large number from the school. We’ve had so much interest and support from the community, including Longden School, Paul’s friends from Shrewsbury Mountaineering Club and my former colleagues from the AONB and Natural England.”

As well as bringing in hundreds of pounds for Children in Need, Rosa’s Just Giving page has attracted many comments from family and friends wishing her luck and saying how proud her dad would be.

To offer your support, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rosa-Wood