A Powys schoolgirl is embarking on her first ever 10K challenge to help raise money for a new fish tank at her school.

Gweni Roberts, 11, has signed up for the Derwen 10K Challenge which takes place at the end of this month to raise funds for Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant Primary School and special educational needs college Derwen College in Gobowen near her home in Oswestry.

Gweni’s mother Anna Evans said her daughter seems to have caught the fundraising bug.

Anna, who is also a fundraiser at Derwen College, said: “Gweni heard me talking about our big fundraising event and wanted to join in. She was one of the first to sign up for the 10K challenge and has already raised £65. She wants to split her donations between Derwen College and her school.”

The Derwen 10K Challenge offers a new type of challenge for all abilities, because participants have the option of clocking up their 10K distance over a week and completing the final distance with everyone else at the Derwen Sponsored Walk and Run on Saturday, May 27.

Anna said: “There are dozens and dozens of 10K events, half marathons and full marathons across the UK that people can sign up to these days and they are a great way to motivate people to get fit and healthy. But for many people, such as people with disability and youngsters, these events are too hard. We wanted to make our annual sponsored walk and run completely inclusive and have opened up the challenge to be taken over one week.

“This means that everyone can take part and claim their 10K medal – whatever their level of fitness is and whatever their age.”

For those who want a harder challenge, the full 10K route can be tackled in one go on Saturday May 27. This is a well marshalled, circular route starting and finishing at Derwen College in Gobowen.

The walk starts at 10am and participants have the option of taking on a 10K, 6K or 1K route.  The event is open to walkers and runners. Well behaved dogs on leads are also welcome. All participants can then visit the annual Derwen Fete which takes place on the same day.

The Derwen 10K Challenge is about raising funds, and the college is especially keen to encourage school children who want to raise funds for Derwen College and their own school.

Anna said: “We are offering all local school children the chance to raise funds for Derwen College and their own school through this event. All we ask for is a small donation pledge to Derwen College, to ensure our own costs are covered.”

Anyone wanting more details can sign up to the challenge by visiting the Derwen College website, or contact Anna Evans on 01691 661234 / anna.evans@derwen.ac.uk.