Northamptonshire school's 'expedition' to Lapland supports our campaign to help hundreds of disadvantaged families this Christmas

A school of intrepid Northamptonshire explorers is helping disadvantaged families have a special Christmas this year by walking to Lapland - sort of.

The children of West Haddon Endowed Primary School are undertaking an expedition to walk the 1,400 miles between their Daventry district village and Santa's workshop.

Together they will walk, cycle, skate or run the distance it would take to reach Finland as the reindeer flies while raising potentially hundreds of pounds for charity.

The children are fundraising for The Faraway Children's Charity, who along with Chronicle & Echo and Northamptonshire Telegraph's annual toy appeal will help some of Northamptonshire's most disadvantaged families and young people have a present to open this December.

One young explorer, Vinnie, aged seven, told the Chron: "It's important because some children won't get any presents this Christmas.

"I went on a big walk up a big hill with mum, dad and nanna and I walked four miles."

In fact, the appeal has snowballed into a race between the children and their parents and grandparents to see who can clock up the most miles before Christmas.

But already the children of West Haddon Primary have put in more than 350 miles in just over a week.

Eight-year-old William confidently said: "I think we will walk further than the grown-ups."

The final sum raised will be split evenly between the Faraway Children's Trust as well as the school's parent teaching association, and have also applied for match funding to raise even more.

Seven-year-old Neve said: "I think it's important because we're raising money for the PTA and the Faraway Children so they can have presents. I would get them a teddy if I could."

And five-year-old Oliver said: "I love exploring and going for walks with my family. We’re also helping other children to have a happy Christmas this year too."

West Haddon's headteacher David Rosevear said: "I’m so proud of our children. This is a great way to come together and support the local community whilst getting active and exploring the countryside.

To donate to the West Haddon Lapland Expedition, visit their JustGiving page."Sue Cordwell from The Faraway Children’s Charity says “We are so grateful to the children - their efforts will mean many local children living in poverty will be able to have a gift this Christmas, and this year is going to be hard for so many families.”

This year, the Chronicle & Echo and the Norhamptonshire Telegraph have teamed up with the Faraway Children's Charity to hold our annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

By donating to the Faraway Children Charity's JustGiving page, readers can help hundreds of disadvantaged families, young people and children have something to open on December 25

To donate to the Chronicle & Echo and Northamptonshire Telegraph's annual toy appeal, visit our JustGiving Page.