A COLLEGE has raised over £1,000 for a town foodbank by collectively walking 10,000km over half-term.

Staff and students from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh took on the challenge to raise money for Eastleigh Basics Bank.

Having collectively walked 10,000km over half-term, the college has now raised £1,158 in its '10k for £1k' challenge.

The challenge, which lasted from January 4 to February 12, also helped encourage students and individuals in the community to stay active despite the national lockdown.

The fundraising students and staff reached their target distance by participating in five long walks or runs either individually or with their families.

This challenge was headed by Barton Peveril’s Sports Department.

Barton Peveril Subject Leader for Sport, Daniel Jones, said the money "will provide families that have been affected financially during the pandemic in Eastleigh and the surrounding boroughs with hundreds of meals.

“The effort that students have put in is exemplary, particularly in such challenging weather conditions.

"Students and staff across College have come together as a community to make the six week initiative a huge success and we have received many emails from students and parents saying how much it has helped with their mental wellbeing during this the latest lockdown.”

This comes after the college donated over 550 toys to nearby charity SCRATCH, in a bid to offer less fortunate families in the area a better Christmas.

Sports students also raised over £500 for Eastleigh Basics Bank, as part of their National Citizenship Service.