AROUND 80 students from a school in Poole walked for 15 miles to raise money and awareness of a good cause.

Young people from Year 12 at Parkstone Grammar School covered the distance from Swanage to their school for the charity Water Aid, an international charity which aims to improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation.

Paul Barber, head of music at the school, and event organiser, said: “The walk started five years ago and we try to do it every year.

He added: “We see it as a great bonding experience, while raising money for the charity, and awareness of the fact that women in some countries have to walk for miles every day so that their family has water to drink.

“We left Swanage at 4am and on a day like it was on Wednesday, with sunshine and warm weather, it was such a lovely occasion.

“As we reached Ballard Down in Purbeck, dawn was just breaking and the sun was coming up, which was great for all of us to see, and it raised the spirits a bit, as we stopped to take a photo.

“The girls were all carrying banners and buckets explaining why we were doing the walk, which meant people passing by stopped to give some money, and each of the girls were asked to get sponsored to take part.

“I know that they have all done their best and it was the best walk that we have had in a long time.”