A University of Worcester student will be taking on the Malvern Hills blindfolded to raise money for charity.
Isobel Lines will be joined by fellow student fundraisers as she summits the Worcestershire Beacon on April 3.
The PE and Sports Coaching Science student was inspired by her studies to take up the challenge.
“The idea of doing it blindfolded came from my studies because I’m used to working with people with disabilities as part of modules on disability sport,” said Isobel. “I hope it will increase donations because there’s a big difference between walking up a hill and walking up blindfolded. But it will also be beneficial because I have got to be able to teach people with disabilities as part of my studies and I think this will help my understanding and experience of what it is like to have sight loss.”
The Walk with a Purpose event will raise money for Beauty with a Purpose, a charity associated with Miss World that helps humanitarian causes, and Cancer Research UK. Isobel is organising the event as part of her associated charity work ahead of the semi-finals of the Miss England contest.
The 18-year-old, from Wednesbury, is a member of the University Of Worcester’s Equestrian Club 1st team and members of the Equestrian Club and the Ladies Cricket Club will join her for the sponsored walk, in full kit.
She will be starting from Happy Valley and will be guided up and down the hill by friend and PE and Sports Studies student Holly Fozzard, and hopes to raise at least £200.
“I’m nervous, actually I’m terrified, but I hope I can use the prestige of the competition to help me raise more,” added Isobel.
Fundraising has been part of Isobel’s life ever since she became involved in the Miss England contest in 2016. She came in the top five in the Miss Worcestershire competition in 2017, where she was also named Miss Sportswoman Worcestershire and Miss Eco Worcestershire, but has since taken a break from competing until now.
Alongside her studies, Isobel is an accomplished horsewoman, specialising in showing, which is a form of equestrian competition, alongside show jumping, dressage and eventing. She has competed in the World’s Most Famous Horse Show, an international event, for a consecutive eight years, where she was placed fifth in 2014. Isobel is supported by the University’s sports scholarship programme, which provides expert advice and guidance, from nutrition and strength and conditioning to financial assistance.
University of Worcester Pro Vice Chancellor, Ross Renton, said: “It’s great to see one of our students setting up an event to raise money and awareness for such worthy causes and getting other students involved. Attempting this challenge blindfolded is ambitious, but it shows how our students are inspired by their studies to gain a greater understanding of people they are working with and the challenges they face. I wish Isobel and all our students luck on the day.”
Isobel competes in the semi-finals of Miss England at Resorts World, Birmingham on June 2.