Kieran's Big Challenge!

Dame Hannah`s student Kieran Double is about to take on his biggest challenge ever. This weekend he will be taking part in the Jubilee Challenge, part of the annual Ten Tors event on

Kieran and his friend Stacey Barrett-Nicholls, who both have profound disabilities, will be among hundreds of participants in this year`s physically demanding and challenging Ten Tors weekend (8^th - 9^th May). The Jubilee Challenge route is designed for young people with special needs and pushes every participant to their limit.

Sixteen year old Kieran from Plymouth joined Dame Hannah`s in September and is always keen to take part in school activities. He will compete in the Exeter Junior athletics meeting in May in a 60 metre track race and will take part in some throwing events.

Stacey, 22 from Tavistock, is taking on the one-day Jubilee Challenge for the third time and is aiming for a gold medal. She is in her second year in Hannahwood, Dame Hannah's ground-breaking Adult Provision.

Both Stacey and Kieran have been training since February for the demanding seven and a half mile trek which will test their will power and physical endurance on rough terrain across the moors. They will both be taking part in the challenge using a Meywalker, a specialist walking frame, to aid their mobility.

Nicky Lloyd, Dame Hannah`s PE co-ordinator and Ten Tors team leader, said "This year the students have had to train in some very cold weather but have both kept going with determination in some difficult conditions. Stacey is working very well towards her Gold medal.  Kieran, who is working towards his Bronze, has shown enormous stamina and progress, despite having fractured his thumb not long before training began.  We are very hopeful that they will both succeed on the day."

The Jubilee Challenge will start at Okehampton Army Camp, Dartmoor, from 7.30am and the Dame Hannah's team aims to finish by 2.00pm. The medal ceremonies for the event take place at 3.00pm and 6.00pm.