HUNDREDS of young people from Ringwood walked five miles to raise money to boost their school's facilities.

The Big Walk, which is organised every two years, was taken on by students and staff from all year groups of Ringwood School, on Parsonage Barn Lane. Funds raised from sponsorship and donations will go towards the school's Tiered Seating Fund Appeal, which will see the current chairs in the school's hall replaced with new automated seating.

It means that the seating could be moved away at the touch of the button, to allow students and visitors can utilise the space in the hall as and when necessary.

Ilona Coryndon Pichler, marketing and communications officer for Ringwood School said: "It is a huge fundraising event that takes place once every two years and involves the whole school, staff included, doing a five-mile walk in the local area.

"This year, the walk is in aid of the Ringwood School Tiered Seating Fund Appeal in association with the Ringwood School Arts Fund (RSAF) and Abacus.

"The walk started opposite Moyles Court School, where students were dropped by coach in staggered groups and it wound up into the forest, past the Sand Bowl and over the bridge up into the moor land.

"The students really enjoyed the opportunity to be outside on the last day of this half term and made the most of the walk and our luck with the weather."

Ilona said that it was a fantastic event and they are now counting up all the money donated to see how much they have raised.

The goal amount for the seating is to reach £75,000 by summer 2016 and supporters of the school are being encouraged to sponsor a seat.

For more information about the Ringwood School Tiered Seating Fund Appeal, go to Ringwood.hants.sch.uk