Due to Belfast Marathon on 04/05/25, please allow extra time to reach the port. Roads may be busier than usual and diversions in place. You can find more details here:
Local family to take on 97-mile challenge to support Ashley Hill Primary School
A family of four from the Isle of Man is preparing to embark on an incredible walking challenge, with the goal of raising funds for the children’s primary school whose dedicated staff have helped shape the children’s growth.
Gary, Ali, 12-year-old Brody, and 10-year-old Ellie Thomas will walk the West Highland Way
covering 97 miles and some 3,000 meters in elevation through the magnificent Scottish Highlights from Glasgow to Fort William to raise much needed funds to enhance the learning experience for students at Ashley Hill, Ellie’s current school and Brody’s former school.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is pleased to support the Thomas family with their fantastic fundraising efforts by assisting with their travel to and from the island as part of our Manx Community Assistance (MCA) scheme.
Dad Gary, who has completed previous charity walking challenges such as the 9 Peaks challenge and 3 Peaks with son Brody, said he and Brody will walk the full route, while Ellie and Ali will provide much-needed support and camp management, alongside walking some of the route, which will take eight days to complete.
“Ashley Hill has been the children’s school and has been simply amazing in making them the children they are,” Gary said. “But they lack funds to do some really worthwhile projects. This is our way of saying thanks and allowing them to put the same learning effort into other pupils. We also hope, through our kids, to inspire other kids to do something like this too.
“This walk is significantly challenging due to distance and exposure, but not too technical for young legs. It's a beautiful place with amazing scenery and a path that is well trodden.
We are looking forward to working as a family, spending time together, making memories, but also raising money for a great cause. Bonding through adventure.
“It's great that the Isle of Man Steam Packet is on board (no pun intended) and wanting to help us. We aren't after glory; we are wanting to help a worthy cause.”
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s MCA scheme provides assistance to individuals, organisations, good causes and charities, whose aim is to improve the quality of life of island residents. We offer travel assistance to events, groups and organisations travelling to and from the Isle of Man for sporting, educational and cultural activities, as well as support for the transportation of necessary equipment. We also support island fundraising events such as raffles.
Donate to the Thomas’ fundraising efforts on their Just Giving page.
To find out more about the MCA schemes and to make an application click here.
What inspired you to take on this incredible 97-mile charity walk
I have done a number of Challenges over recent years and raised money for various charities, all the while being watched by my family. My son asked in 2023 if we could do something and so we did the National 3 peaks to raise money for his school. He raised £2190 by completing all three mountains and in winter conditions. This event is a follow on to all before and what we like to do; again raising much needed money to enhance the learning experience at his old school and my daughters current school. My Daughter is in charge of this one though and will take credit for organising the trip.
2. When is the walk taking place?
Walk starts the Morning of Tuesday, 8th April and is completed on the evening of Tuesday, 15th April.
3. Why did you choose this particular walk? Does it have any special significance?
This walk is significantly challenging due to distance and exposure, but not too technical for young legs. It's a beautiful place with amazing scenery and a path that is well trodden and therefore, despite the distance, easier to achieve.
4. Have any of you ever done a challenge like this before?
Yes; 9 peaks challenge; 3 x 3 peak challenges over three days raising money for Cruse bereavement care. This was the yorkshire three peaks, followed by the national three peaks and finally the welsh three peaks (64 miles, 7000 metres of ascent) – you supported me and my driver on that trip. We made £4310 for the charity. Three peaks challenge with my son, raising money as described earlier. Three ridge challenge raising money for the Hospice (£1397); three greatest ridges across the uk, in three days. guess we have a taste for challenge and raising money for worthy causes.
5. Can you tell us why raising funds for Ashley Hill is so important to you?
Ashley hill has been the Children’s school and has been simply amazing in making them the children they are. But they lack funds to do some really worthwhile projects. This is our way of saying thanks and allowing them to put the same learning effort into other pupils. We also hope, through our kids, to inspire other kids to do something like this too.
6. What will the money raised go towards specifically? How will it benefit the students and the school community?
The money is to be used by the school as they see fit, but we have agreed it will be used for one specific project of their choice and need. It is to be determined what that is at a later stage. The last money we raised for them restocked their library and replaced some old books for new.
7. How have you been preparing for the challenge?
We are constantly active due to my son's sports commitments and my walking business; we get out on the hills regularly and are confident of our ability in the mountains.
8. What are you most looking forward to about the walk?
We are looking forward to working as a family, time together, making memories, but also raising money for a great cause. Bonding through adventure.
9. Once you complete the challenge, how do you plan to celebrate?
Rest for a year! .. probably prep for the next challenge, but just a nice relaxed weekend together and go through the photos and get some messages out there to all who have supported us.
10. How has the Steam Packet's support helped you?
It's great to know you are onboard (no pun intended) and wanting to help. It is hard when you are self funding, as we want to ensure all funds raised go straight to the school and don't pay for the trip. We aren't after glory; we are wanting to help a worthy cause.
