We will walk 500 Miles

This is no ordinary challenge; given the physiology of the team and the distances involved, this most definitely will be something worth sponsoring.

During the months of September & October 2022, the Girling Jones Civils Team comprising of Joe Knowles and Adam Jason-Ryan will be undertaking the task of completing a combined 500KM on foot, not taking time off but squeezing this short distance around the usual day to day grind of providing top class recruitment services to the sector.

The why;

We needed to select a charity that undertakes equally herculean work which matches the gravitas of the challenge; deciding on a local charity of this nature was easy;

Vranch House Special Education school in Pinhoe, Exeter. This is a cause close to the team's hearts, with Adam being a local lad, and he knows a number of teachers within the school, which has grown considerably over the past decade. For Joe, he regularly experiences the benefits that the school provides to his nephew Rudi, a pupil at the school, who, after birth, was eventually diagnosed with a rare disorder - Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (Opsoclonus-myoclonus OMS), which affects the nervous system. He appreciates the great work the school undertakes.

Some more information on the school;

Vranch House is an Independent Day School for children aged 2 to 18 with significant complex physical difficulties. Children who attend Vranch House experience associated difficulties, including: visual impairment and/or hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, speech, language and communication needs, severe, multiple and profound learning needs or complex medical needs.

The school also has a therapy centre providing clinical services for children and young people aged 0 - 19 years with a wide range of physical difficulties from mild to very complex treating over 2000 outpatients every year covering North, West, East and Mid Devon.

What your generous contributions will be used towards;

Improving outdoor school areas to make them inclusive, inviting, engaging, therapeutic and fun to enhance learning and provide important sensory stimulation for all of our pupils, no matter their needs or ability, many of whom are wheelchair users.

All weather outdoor areas that pupils and staff can use safely and confidently throughout the year to challenge them, develop their communication skills, promote physical development and provide the young investigative minds with a sensory journey to embark on as they enter the area and explore the fantastic outdoor space.

Additional outdoor play equipment for the school's beautiful garden.

All our efforts will be recorded on Strava, with regular updates posted to the site.