TWO TEAMS from the Thomas Hardye School defied tough conditions to complete the Ten Tors Challenge.

Members of the school’s CCF (Combined Cadet Force) took on the Dartmoor expedition to raise funds for two local charities.

One team of six took on the 35-mile route and another completed the 45-mile route.

Contingent commander of the Thomas Hardye School CCF and Ten Tors manager Mark Skinner said the two teams had both spent months training for the event.

He said that to their disappointment it was nearly called off but a late change in the weather enabled it to go ahead, even if the ground underfoot was somewhat water-logged.

Mr Skinner said: “It was touch and go because of the weather but we got the go ahead and when the actual day came along the sky was brilliantly clear.

“It was beautiful but the ground was very difficult going because of all the rain there had been on the moors.

“The conditions were very hard underfoot but both teams completed it successfully.”

Mr Skinner, who is also a teacher at the Thomas Hardye School, said that this year the youngsters were raising money for the Dorset Deaf Children’s Society, as one of the 35-mile team, Jack Woodrow, had a hearing impairment, and also the Dorset Youth Association.

He said they were hoping to raise £1,000 for the Deaf Children’s Society and £500 for the Youth Association so they could buy GPS devices to allow more youngsters to enjoy the great outdoors.

Mr Skinner said over the ten years the school has been doing the Ten Tors Challenge it has raised over £11,500, meaning this year it would see the total top £13,000.

He said the two teams had been in training for the Ten Tors event since the start of the year and had put in a major effort in the build up to the challenge.

Mr Skinner said: “It all starts in January and they are out training every other weekend so their commitment has got to be pretty full on.”