A group of 70 Bicton College students are in training for a 100-mile endurance challenge to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity and the RNLI.

Students from the Military and Protective Services (MaPS) Academy will run along the coastal footpath from Studland in Dorset back to Bicton, starting on Tuesday, April 30 and finishing on Thursday, May 2.

They will be pushing their physical and mental limits to complete at least 40 miles over each of the first two days, finishing with 20 miles on the final day.

Exmouth Journal: Some of the Bicton MaPS runners

MaPS student Alice Cooper described the initiative as ‘exciting, but equally challenging’.

She said: “There is so much to think about and to organise, while making time to train so that we are ready.

“We are all a little bit nervous but unbelievably motivated and ready to go. This project has brought the academy together and we have developed so many new skills. We are looking forward to this and the memories and experience it will bring.”

Curriculum Area Manager Scott Lawson said: “We take great pride in our programmes being career led and ambitious. The project management skills our learners are gaining from this make it a fantastic challenge.

“Our industry has asked for ‘mentally and physically resilient recruits’ and this challenge is packed full of experiences to boost these qualities. We are incredibly proud of their efforts thus far, and continue to celebrate them alongside our industry relations throughout.”

Senior Study Programme Manager Dougie Wright said: “There is no doubt this is going to be challenging in every aspect. But what an amazing experience and journey these learners are on. This challenge will give them a memory for life and something to be so incredibly proud of and talk about moving into their future careers. I have no doubt that all will be a success and I cannot wait to be out there with them making memories.”

The challenge has received backing from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Mayor of Exmouth, the Conservative candidate for Exmouth and Exeter East David Reed, district and county councillors, Devon and Cornwall Police and the RNLI, who are supporting the MaPS team to plan the logistics of the event and will join the students at various points during the challenge.

Throughout the walk the students will carry the ‘Baton of Bicton’, a symbol of inclusivity, teamwork, resilience and self-determination which represents the college’s values and standards.

To support the learners in their charity endeavour visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/mapsbatonofbicton