Everest Base Camp Challenge with Ciaran Hannington

Apr 26, 2022 | Ackworth School

During March, our very own Ciaran Hannington, a member of staff in the Ackworth School Autism Resource tackled the challenge of trekking to Everest base camp to raise awareness of male infertility. He set off on the trek on 8 March and reached base camp within 2 weeks, at an altitude of 5,364m. Read Ciaran’s story below …

Arron Sutton, Tony Suckling, Ciaran, and Ian Stones on route to Everest Base Camp

“As a child I fell in love with the mountains during our annual holidays to the Lake District. Since then I have always had the dream of summiting Mount Everest and standing on top of the world. When I was asked if I wanted to trek to Everest base camp to raise awareness of Male Infertility and raise much needed funds for Fertility Network UK I jumped at the chance.

Nepal is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, the people were welcoming and the mountains inviting. I was asked yesterday whether I would return. And the answer is yes! Despite chilling temperatures of -21 and the gradual onset of altitude sickness it was an experiment that changed my life. The thing I took most form the experience was gratitude. Gratitude for the world we live in and the opportunities we have available to us. Things that we take for granted, like clean running water is not available in most of the world and I was humbled by the peace and happiness the Nepalese people presented despite facing so many daily difficulties.

Everest base camp sits 5,364 meters above sea level. The oxygen levels are 50% lower than that of sea level and with an average temperature of -17 degrees it is a challenging experience. Despite all the difficulties I felt driven to succeed. I felt empowered by the support I received and by the knowledge I was actively raising awareness of male infertility and Fertility Network UK.

Male infertility is on the rise, with some research suggesting that fertility levels in men have fallen by 1% each year since the 1970’s. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to visit such an amazing place and feel overwhelmed and humbled with the support I continue to receive in relation to the trek. The whole experience is something I will never forget.”

Ciaran Hannington, Specialist Learning Support Mentor in the Autism Resource

If you are interested in supporting Ciaran, please donate via his GoFundMe link, https://gofund.me/97f46be4 and for further details about the charity please check out their website Fertility Network

Supporting Ukraine in Crisis

Mar 25, 2022 | Ackworth School

Images which bring the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine into stark focus probably more than we have ever seen before, flashed across our screens through social media and many other communication streams. These images continue daily; for pupils in our school these are images of home, they are not just’ news ‘, they are a lived reality. Our pupils from both Ukraine and Russia have come together to support each other, recognising the shared reality of what their families are facing. Their compassion for each other in the face of such adversity is a strength we are all very proud of.

                

What could we do as a community – how could we make a difference? We had to do something. We spoke in the Meeting House and pupils were given a presentation in form time to help raise awareness. The response has been amazing. Pupils were asked to consider what they could do in simple terms. To start the process, we had a non- uniform day – on such days we usually raise about £400-500. We raised just over £2000 – how amazing – thank you. We said this would be just the start and it is. Pupils were asked to think about what they could do without to raise donations – their response has been wonderful.

 

Our community was anxious for everyone to realise that the efforts to support Ukraine would not be a ‘one off’. We realised that this was an emerging and critical need which would require ongoing support. The pupils in school have met and discussed lots of ideas to help maintain a focus.

 

Currently we have a group who are taking over the ‘Nostell Park Run’ on the morning of Saturday 26th March. Pupils and staff will come together to marshal the course dressed in yellow and blue with buckets to collect donations; yellow and blue ribbon twists have been made again to offer for donations.

 

We are following up on our Peace Circle by asking pupils to write messages of peace and hope on ribbon twists of yellow and blue which will be hung in our Peace Garden; we will ask for small donations for each ribbon twist. We know every little bit counts and will make a difference.

 

Our community efforts have been amazing; day on day, bags and boxes of every kind of donation have arrived in school. As each load has been moved, another donation arrives. The community spirit coming together to make a difference has been wonderful. The thought which has gone into some of these has led to many tears being shed.

      

Next week 3rd form pupils in school are taking responsibility for craft work which has been created to be sold for donations; a range of small items will be available.

 

Next term we have a concert planned and other events which will be ongoing as our community continues to show how much we all care.

Having packed the third van and extra cars with all the items which have been donated, pupils waved the drivers off as the much needed items went first to Huddersfield to then be taken by the army to Poland. Thank you to the efforts of Rana, Danny, Mark, and Brian for making the delivery process a reality! Additionally, thank you to the Parents Staff Association for the continued efforts and organisational skills in handling all the donations.

  

Finally, we have periods of silence in school which allow for reflection, an important part of the Quaker Ethos. Pupils and adults know that they can speak at any point within the silence if they wish to share their thoughts or feelings.

 

At the end of our first week back in school which was about 10 days since the invasion:

 

One of our pupils stood up in the midst of silence in our Meeting House and spoke from their heart about what was happening in Ukraine. This personal, eloquent moment will never be forgotten by those that were present. Over 300 pupils from the age of 11-19 heard these words and felt the reality of what was happening in the lives of Ukrainian people. As teachers we could only admire the courage and fortitude of this individual. Words made more powerful by the voice that spoke.

Lynda Barker

Deputy Head

Summer Ball 2022 Tickets Now On Sale

Mar 11, 2022 | Ackworth School