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Max Beesley, Antony Costa and Duncan James from Blue and BBC’s Gregg Wallace show support for Five Acre Wood School staff taking on Four Peaks Challenge with Channel 4’s Hunted star Marc Cananur

18:20, 07 April 2024

updated: 07:35, 08 April 2024

Parents and staff at a school have received a flurry of celebrity support as they get ready to take on the Four Peaks Challenge.

A group of 24 people, mainly teachers, from Five Acre Wood School in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, are preparing to climb the four highest mountains in every country of the United Kingdom.

Five Acre Wood's team is taking on the Four Peaks Challenge. Picture: Marc Cananur
Five Acre Wood's team is taking on the Four Peaks Challenge. Picture: Marc Cananur

Similar to the more popular Three Peaks Challenge, the group will climb Yr Wyddfa in Wales, known as Snowdon, Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland, and then tackle Slieve Donard which is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland.

The school team has called it the FAW Peaks Challenge, linking back to the school’s initials of Fire Acre Wood.

Since announcing the idea, the group has received much support and even gained backing from a few celebrity faces including TV presenter Gregg Wallace, Blue band members Duncan James and Antony Costa, and actor Max Beesley who’s best known for his role in shows such as Mad Dogs and Netflix’s The Gentlemen.

The group is also being accompanied by police officer deputy chief Marc Canuner who is better known for starring in Channel 4’s TV show Hunted.

So far more than £10,000 has been raised with all money going to the school’s annual music festival Woodstock, which gives pupils with special educational needs a chance to enjoy and experience the thrill of going to a festival.

Head teacher Tim Williams said: “I am immensely proud of the exceptional FAW Peaks Challenge team, as they prepare to conquer the highest peaks in Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

“Their unwavering determination and commitment to raising funds for Five Acre Wood Special School’s annual music festival, Woodstock, will enable us to stage an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience that will help shape the life stories of our pupils.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved, including our generous sponsors and esteemed celebrity support, for their invaluable contributions.”

The group has been kitted out by sponsors JEM Construction.

The challenge starts tomorrow (Monday, April 8) and is expected to take four days.

A few days ago, the school also welcomed the cockpit of an aircraft and a lifeboat to the grounds.

Both are to be repurposed into educational facilities offering support to pupils with learning difficulties.

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