PUPILS at Castle Hill School are set to take part in the Examiner Charity Challenge.

And they’re hoping they can help raise enough cash for their Newsome school to get specialist status.

Children at the school – who suffer from severe learning disabilities – will take part in the May 18 event to collect cash towards the school’s bid for specialist ‘communication and integration’ status.

They must raise £20,000 by October to qualify for the status, which will bring them extra resources towards communication.

Gillian Messenger, headteacher’s PA at the school, said communication facilities and aids were vital for the pupils, to allow them to interact with people.

“Communication is extremely important for the students, staff and the whole school.

“It’s quite difficult to raise the money for the specialist status.

“It is quite a big thing for the children to go out and raise money. They enjoy being outside and mixing with the local community.

“Some of the students and staff did it last year for school funds, but it is the first time we have been a nominated charity.

“We are appealing to anyone who wants to sponsor us to please do so by calling the school on 01484 226659.”

Castle Hill School is one of 12 nominated charities people taking part in the challenge can raise money for. However, people can also take on the walk for a cause of their choice.

Thousands of pounds are expected to be raised in the annual challenge, which is organised by the Examiner and Huddersfield Lions.

People can walk, cycle or horse ride along a number of routes in Meltham which cater for all levels of fitness and ability.

There is a family friendly walk, a wheelchair and pushchair route, a challenging trek, a horse riding route and four bike rides, including one of 48 miles.

There will be a number of routes for people of all levels of fitness and ability, including a family-friendly walk and a more challenging one.

Last year 89 charities benefited and more than £40,000 was raised.

In total, about £500,000 has been given to worthy causes since the fundraising event began.

We have had hundreds of entries so far, but we need more.

Entry forms are available at www.examiner.co.uk or can be collected by calling into the Examiner office on Queen Street South.