MORE than 1,000 young people from Okehampton College will be stepping out on a charity hike across Dartmoor tomorrow (Friday) ? and one boy has set himself an ambitious personal target. Last year 13-year-old Monty Jennings contributed £100 to the magnificent £12,000 raised by the school, so this time he has set himself the challenge of personally raising £200. Monty said: ?People have been so generous, so I wanted to try and help the charities even more.? Monty is in the choir at All Saints Church and said he has had a lot of sponsorship from people there. A week before last year?s walk Monty hurt his leg playing badminton and thought he might not be able to take part. ?I was really upset because I thought I wouldn?t be able to do the walk and get the money,? he said. But with support from his friends he managed to complete the 15 miles, and now he?s looking forward to doing it again. He said: ?It?s great fun for all the students just to go on a walk. It really is beautiful up there.? Monty?s mother Tor Jennings said: ?He?s a very enthusiastic kid that sets himself a challenge and goes for it. He likes being nice.? This will be the fourth year that Okehampton College has staged a sponsored walk in which all pupils take part. This year?s hike will be a round walk from the school onto Dartmoor. Groups can choose between a ten, 13 or 15 mile route. Teacher Steve Blackmur, one of the organisers, said students would walk in their tutor groups, with their tutors. ?It gives them a chance to initiate new members into the team,? he said. ?It?s a nice day out so long as the weather is kind to us.? The charities to benefit will be voted for by the children after the event. Devon Air Ambulance has proved popular in the past and last year CLIC, Exeter Neo Natal Trust, SCOPE and Inspiration ? a Kenyan Mission ? also benefited.
