July 17, 2013 11.48 am This story is over 127 months old

Lincoln students climb Ben Nevis for charity

On top: BGU students climbed the tallest UK mountain to raise money for a school in Gambia.

Teaching students from Bishop Grosseteste University climbed Ben Nevis this month to raise money for a school in Gambia.

The team climbed the Scottish mountain for the Papa Bouye nursery and infant school.

They initially aimed to raise £1,000 for their climb, but have already raised £1,200.

A group of BGU PGCE students visited Gambia and Papa Bouye Nursery and Infant School in April 2013.

The school is situated in a very poor area, so it has only been able to fund levelling the floor in two classrooms.

It also only had a couple of desks to share between pupils, and there were limited “luxuries” such as pencils and paper for work.

There is no running water, and the school cannot afford to feed the attending children.

Ben Harrison, one of the students involved, said: “Such was the passion and drive of the community in Papa Bouye (the teachers, students and parents) that we decided to go the extra mile and attempt to raise more money to try to make as much difference as possible to the lives of the children of Papa Bouye.

“Every single BGU student who visited this school was affected by this community’s plight and firmly believes that every child should have the right to an education, whatever their situation.”

He added: “Completing the challenge in five hours is an incredible achievement, bearing in mind that the average ascent/descent is seven or eight hours.

“The whole team enjoyed the experience immensely and we all feel incredibly proud of what we achieved in terms of what we have managed to raise so far for the children of Papa Bouye school in Gambia.”

You can still donate to the team’s cause. Visit their Go Get Funding page to leave a donation or find out more.