Time running out for cut price trek challenge

Originally a training exercise for Gurkhas, Trailtrekker is a 100km non-stop walk which pits teams of ordinary people against some of Yorkshire most beautiful and challenging landscapes. Oxfam hopes to raise some 600,000 for aid projects around the world.

The 62-mile sponsored trek starts and finishes at Aireville School in Skipton, taking in many of the iconic peaks and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales along the way. More than 600 people took part in last year's event, with most four-person teams completing the course in about 27 hours.

There are still places available for the 2010 event, which takes place over the weekend of June 5-6. But there are only four days left for teams to sign up at a discounted entry price of 150. From Sunday teams will be charged the full entry fee of 200.

The town of Skipton is already gearing up for the event and pupils at Aireville held a competition to design a poster. The winning entry is printed below.

Teacher Lucy Nuttgens said: "We're very interested in getting closer links with Trailtrekker. The event starts and finishes right here so we wanted our pupils to get involved, and also to learn more about the work Oxfam does."

The facts laid before the Year Eight pupils by representatives from Oxfam at an Enterprise Day were stark. More than 16,000 children die from preventable diseases each day around the world, one in six lives in a state of severe hunger, while almost 100 million are missing out on primary education.

Jessica Wilson, 13, part of the team which designed the poster, said: "It was really good to be doing something totally different, and to be helping raise money for people who need things that they just don't have."

Team-mate Kaylee Lofthouse, 12, said: "You really get a sense of pride because you know you're helping people who don't have very much."

And fellow team member Chubo Gondwe, also 12, added: "It helps give people in some other countries opportunities in life to do better things. It will change people's lives."

The school also plans to enter two teams of teachers in the event and the school band hopes to perform at the finish line.

Oxfam event organiser James Terry said: "We're really appreciative of all the work the school has put in."

n For more information or to sign up, visit oxfam.org.uk/ trailtrekker or yorkshirepost. co.uk/trailtrekker2010.