A PETERSFIELD student and her family will take on the renowned Gurkha soldiers in one of the toughest team events in the world, which takes place across the South Downs on 26 and 27 July.

Thea Bishop, head girl at Bedales School, along with sisters Kate and Eva and brother, Nick, all of whom also attended Bedales, are taking part in Trailwalker UK, which requires teams of four to cover a 100km course across the South Downs in less than 30 hours in order to raise money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Trailwalker has been described as the ultimate team-building exercise. It was started by Gurkha soldiers in Hong Kong in 1981 as a training exercise to test endurance and encourage teamwork.

The 100km Trailwalker UK course starts at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park and ends at Whitehawk Football Club, Brighton. Last year 500 people from eight countries took part. The Bishops, who range in age from 18 to 26, are the only team from the one family amongst the 250 teams that will take part in this yearÕs event.

ÒWe all enjoy a challenge, are reasonably fit and with the event taking place in some of EnglandÕs most beautiful countryside right here on our doorsteps, we felt we had to try it. We walked about quarter of the course at Easter at a 20-hour pace, but it was tough so we have set our target for 24 hours. Trailwalker is something that once you set your sights on it, youÕve just got to do it!Ó says Thea.

The Trailwalker teams of four can be male, female, mixed or veterans. The team must start together, go through each checkpoint together and finish the course together. They can walk or run through the day and night to complete the course in the time limit. It is tough but with the right training and mental attitude, any reasonably fit team should be able to complete the challenge.

Teams must also raise at least £1,000 in sponsorship to support OxfamÕs work in relieving poverty and suffering around the world, and The Gurkha Welfare Trust in helping Gurkha ex-servicemen and their families in Nepal.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Thea and her team should phone 023 92 484 614.