A GROUP of schoolboys will soldier on through the cold and wet to raise money for charity.
Pupils at Dr Walker's CofE Primary School, in Walker Avenue, Fyfield, were challenged to choose a good cause for the school to support for the year.
In groups, they campaigned for their favourite charity to be selected.
The winning Year 6 team – Ben Hayes, Connor Preston, James Cades and Sonny Dutton, all aged ten – chose wounded soldiers' charity Help For Heroes and successfully won over the rest of the school.
This weekend, they will pull on their warmest socks and walking boots to carry a stretcher across three miles of muddy fields as they hold their first fundraising event.
Ben Hayes's proud mum, Denise, of Great Stony Park, Ongar, said: "Ben's uncle used to be a soldier so all the boys already had an awareness of the Help For Heroes charity.
"They had to carry out research and give a presentation at school for the charity to be voted the winner.
"I feel really proud of the boys for what they are doing.
"It will be great to watch them carry out their first challenge on Saturday.
"The logo for Help For Heroes is of soldiers carrying a stretcher so that's where they got their idea from."
The boys will start off at Fyfield Village Hall at 1pm and trek across fields to Ongar High Street carrying the stretcher.
Head teacher Wendy Myers said: "This project is something we do every year.
"It gives them a sense of responsibility and organisation.
"As a school, we have already raised £250 through cake sales and a non-uniform day, but over the year we usually raise about £2,000.
"This year, the pupils have come up with this lovely initiative which is going to be quite a hard thing for them to do.
"It shows their sense of caring and motivation."
To sponsor the boys, contact the school on 01277 899298.
