KES cyclists on quill relay from Stratford to Stratford!
THIRTY students from King Edward VI School - Shakespeare's School - are going the extra mile today, Saturday, in honour of the Bard by taking part in a tough cycling, running and rowing relay challenge, they call the Shakespeare Shuttle.
In the early hours of Saturday KES students set off on a 125-mile route from the Guildhall to Shakespeare’s Globe in London, carrying a quill.
The journey will begin with a 75-mile cycle to Marlow, followed by a 15-mile row down the Thames to Windsor, then another cycle, before the quill is passed to runners for the final leg to the Globe.
Harry Forty, 17, captain of the Rugby First 15s at KES, said: “It’s really exciting, all the sports captains will be running the final leg and I’m going to be doing one of the rowing stretches as well.
"We’ve been fitting in training as part of our sports practice anyway, I think the hardest bit will be the run at the end, it’s quite long.”
The quill will be received by Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director at the Globe, and organisers hope it will arrive before the evening’s performance of Hamlet.
Bennet Carr, Headmaster at KES, said: “It’s going to be such a big day for us with the opening of the Guildhall as well as our other activities as part of the birthday celebrations. The Shakespeare Shuttle is something that has been driven by the students who are keen to mark this occasion too and what better way can there be of recognising Shakespeare than running with a quill from his schoolroom to the Globe.”
Director of Sport at King Edward VI School, Richard Mahony, added: “What a great way to raise money for sport at the school and our two chosen charities, we have over 30 students taking part, five staff and ten helpful parents.
“Regardless of the physical challenge, it is set to be a massive logistical undertaking but, knowing our students, I’m sure they are all looking forward to it.
“I’m so pleased that our event contributes to the launch of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, this Shakespeare Shuttle is an opportunity for the Sports Department to contribute to the history of the school and to raise a Quill to the Bard himself!”
Students have already raised over £900 for two charities with the challenge, WaterAid and the Warwickshire Air Ambulance.
Donations can still be made at: www.justgiving.com/teams/ShakespeareShuttle
DON’T MISS: The Stratford Herald will be following students’ progress throughout the day on twitter @HeraldNewspaper and on our website www.stratford-herald.com
