Old Leightonian Kirsty Walker (Reckitt 2018) wowed the School community in Collect talking about her epic 2000 miles solo cycle adventure in aid of the charity MIND. Starting in Lisbon, Kirsty travelled on average about 100 kms a day, across Portugal and Spain, crossing the Pyrenees (she admitted having to get off and push at times) in to France, then to Belgium and Holland; her desperation to finish and fed up of unpacking and packing her tent and kit, led to a record 180km day ending in Amsterdam.
A full Leighton Park Travel Scholarship covered the costs of the trip: the committee had no hesitation in making this award after reading Kirsty’s extraordinary proposal document in her Upper Sixth year.
A star athlete and School Sports Captain while at Leighton Park, this year Kirsty came 11th in the British University Cross Country 6 km race and was the 2nd “Fresher” home, running for University of Loughborough. However she mused that her fitness and training in Spin classes did not equip her for the hills, wind and rain! Kirsty’s next big goal is to make Team GB.
Kirsty recounted a number of funny stories as well as reflecting on what she had learned from the adventure: she found inspiration in other people she met along the way; she discovered just how kind people can be, repeatedly receiving offers of meals, cakes, help with fixing her bike or directions. She also commented that when young people are under such pressure to be beautiful or the best, she discovered she was happy with herself for achieving this all alone. Studying Architectural Engineering, Kirsty even managed a day’s work experience along the way with an architect who she met, and enjoyed looking at so many beautiful buildings along her route.
Good luck with the next adventure!
Her fundraising page.
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