Every year members of Bedford Castle Rotary offer help and support to the local Bedford community by raising funds for those less fortunate than ourselves. We have helped numerous local charities over the years including Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends, Bedford Daycare Hospice, Bedford Parent Carers Forum, CHUMS and a number of initiatives to help young people to realise their potential.

For this fundraising challenge we have joined forces with Bedford Academy with the aim of raising funds for much needed equipment to improve the level of literacy for those students with serious reading and writing difficulties.

There is overwhelming evidence that literacy has a significant impact on people's life chances. A person with low literacy is more likely to have reduced work-opportunities; 70% of pupils permanently excluded from school have difficulties in basic literacy skills. 10 to 16 year-olds who read for pleasure do better at school. Hence, literacy is a key focus at Bedford Academy as it is fundamental to enabling all students to fully access the curriculum. Funds raised will be used to purchase digital literacy resources.

In addition, we will add some of the money raised to the Bedford Castle Rotary Trust fund which will be used to support chosen deserving local charities and community support projects.

Members of Bedford Castle Rotary together with students and staff from Bedford Academy will undertake a sponsored walking challenge to cross 100 bridges up and down the Bedford Embankment in a single day, (either solo or teams doing a circuit of 20 bridges each) meaning they will cover a distance greater than 12.5 miles ….. almost a half marathon!