MORE than 350 children from six West Somerset first schools took part in a Big Walk for Asthma to raise funds for the charity Asthma UK.

The schools - Cutcombe, Dunster, Minehead, Timberscombe, St Dubricius’ in Porlock and St Michael’s are members of the Exmoor Coast Federation.

And the walk brought to an end a year in which the federation’s school council has led a project to raise awareness of asthma in schools.

The project included the production of an Exmoor Coast Federation Asthma Policy, the introduction of emergency Ventolin inhalers in some schools, and the production of training materials to inform children and staff about the causes, symptoms and treatment of asthma.

The walk was also made in memory of former Dunster First School and Minehead Middle School pupil Louis Griffiths, who died following an asthma attack last year.

On the walk, all of the schools followed different routes to Minehead Middle School.

Cutcombe and Timberscombe walked from Wootton Courtenay via Grabbist Hill, where they met the children from Dunster for a picnic lunch. For part of the walk, the children were accompanied by one of headteacher Marcus Capel’s ponies.

Minehead First School walked to Dunster Beach and then returned to the middle school.

St Dubricius’ started their walk at the car park below Selworthy Beacon on North Hill and walked to the middle school via Minehead beach.

And St Michael’s went on a circular walk of Minehead which took in Culvercliffe, Minehead and WestSomerset Golf Club and Alcombe before arriving at the middle school.

The planning which had gone into the walks meant that all of the first schools arrived on the field at the middle school within 30 minutes of each other.

When they arrived they were greeted by the pupils in Year 7, who had prepared a guard of honour for the arriving walkers.

Amongst the reception party were two giant inhalers – costumes designed, made and worn by Dunster First School staff members Ruth Thrush and Tracy Moles.

Earlier in the day, the pupils in Year 7 had joined in the Big Walk for Asthma by taking part in a walking relay around the school field, totting up an impressive 200 kilometres.

At the end of the walk, all the children were presented with certificates to mark their achievement.

Altogether, 368 children from the schools in the federation took part, and it is hoped that more than £3,000 will be raised for Asthma UK.

Peter Hoyland, headteacher of Dunster First School and the walk organiser, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped with or supported the Exmoor Coast Federation’s Big Walk for Asthma.

“It was a wonderful event and a great way to bring to a close the work the Exmoor Coast Federation School Council has done on promoting a greater awareness of asthma.

“It was also a fitting way for our school community to remember Louis Griffiths. We are delighted to have raised so much money for Asthma UK.”