Three Complementary Therapy students from Coleg Gwent’s Pontypool Campus were in need of some well-earned rest and relaxation of their own recently when they took part in a challenge to raise £300 for charity in the great outdoors.
Usually spending their time soothing others with massage or reflexology, the Level 3 Complementary Therapy students Emily Smith, Jodie Dupplaw and Sian Williams took on Marie Curie Cancer Care’s ‘Whole Hog Race’, which includes cross country running, negotiating obstacles, wading through a river and walking up a small waterfall in the Brecon Beacons.
Impressively finishing in the top half of all competitors taking part, the student team who named themselves ‘The Ballistic Holistics’ completed the challenging 10k course in less than two hours.
“We are proud of each other and ourselves for completing it,” said Jodie Dupplaw, 18 from Cwmbran, who plans to work as a holistic therapist on a cruise ship after her course. “We’re used to working together to help others relax, so this was a totally different, but very fun experience!”
“Sian came up with the idea, and we all decided to take part to set ourselves a new challenge and to raise money for a great cause.
“All of our friends, family and work colleagues sponsored us very generously, and we were thrilled to be able to raise around £300 for the charity.”
The group’s tutor Deborah Bradfield is proud of what they achieved: “It’s great to see students who are prepared to try something new for a great cause,” she said.
