Barton Peveril Sixth Form College students Holly and Daisy Wilkinson are walking 288 miles, from Bude to Plymouth, to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in Millennials and Gen Z.
Holly and Daisy, teenage sisters and long-distance running athletes from Hampshire, are walking the entire 288 miles of Cornwall coast in less than 25 days to raise money and awareness of mental health.
They will embark on the journey without smartphones, which they believe are a leading cause in negative mental health amongst their peer groups. The students will only be taking camping equipment, a tracker app and a basic phone for emergencies. Their only luxury items include a wind-up radio, a few energy bars, and a pair of new hiking shoes.
The pair aim to cover between 10 and 25 miles per day, to complete their journey of the world’s longest coastline.
Commenting on the fundraiser, Daisy Wilkinson said:
“The Cornish coastline makes my mind feel clearer. I’ve been surfing, seen dolphins and seals, jumped off cliffs into the sea, drank hot chocolate and slept under the stars, and met so many lovely people along the way. Such a great adventure and we’re not even halfway through yet! And I’m so pleased we have been able to raise some money for Mind and mental wellness along the way, as it is such a great cause and charity.”
Talented Athletes
Holly completed her studies at Barton Peveril this year and is embarking on the fundraising journey before attending university. Daisy will be joining Barton Peveril this year, completing the trek after completing her GCSEs at Brookfield Community School.
This is not Holly and Daisy Wilkinson’s first athletic endeavor either. Holly, has just completed the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme at Barton Peveril, and the British Athletics Youth Talent Programme in November 2020, which is the first step in the England Talent pathway and plans to continue her running career at Bath University. Daisy, her sister is following in her footsteps running for the City of Portsmouth and Hampshire in national cross-country championships and Steeplechase.
