STUDENTS and staff at Baxter College are on track to walking and cycling 5,932 miles, the equivalent distance from Kidderminster to Tokyo, host of the 2020 Olympic Games, to raise £1,000 for Sport Relief.

The highlight of the month-long fundraiser was a 24-hour exercise challenge with teams rotating from 8am last Friday to 8am on Saturday, clocking up the miles on treadmills, cross-trainers and exercise bikes in the school gym.

All students have taken part in the Sport Relief sponsored mile and many students and staff are logging individual miles, plus miles earned by attending school sports clubs throughout March, with prizes for the top performing students and form.

PE teacher Dave Tansley said the challenge will be curtailed if the school is advised to close before the deadline in view of the coronavirus and a sponsored trek up Mount Snowdon by a group of staff has been postponed following the newly-announced distancing measures.

So far, the school has logged 3,028 miles and raised more than £600 towards the target.

Mr Tansley added: “Our students have been inspired by the projects undertaken with Sport Relief funding and we want to make a difference and help tackle poverty and injustice.

“Events like this help develop a sense of community within our young people, helps their fitness and mental health by stretching their endurance levels and resilience to keep going when the going gets tough.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/baxter-college-does-sport-relief-20202020.