KSA science Teacher, Miss Melanie Jolliffe led her team of colleagues to the finish line of a 10k challenge last Sunday and has raised more than £1,700 for the MS Society.
Miss Jolliffe decided to take on the challenge, with the support of her colleagues at the Academy, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 18.
The condition over the years has limited her ability to walk and Miss Jolliffe finds it diffcult to walk long distances, but she was determined to take on the challenge for the society.
Ahead of the walk, Miss Jolliffe, now 30, said: “My friends and my physio for the last three years, have made this challenge possible for me and all have been so supportive of my progress.”
The team from KSA included: Head of Expressive Arts, Miss Julia Mallard, PE Teacher, Liam Feely, Science Teacher, Miss Sophie George, SENCO and English Teacher, Miss Kayleigh-Jay Incles, Teaching Assistant, Miss Claire Siddall and Vice Principal, Mrs Kirsty Farrar and her daughter, India.
The KSA team joined hundreds of other people on the Challenge MS Walk which took them alongside the Thames in London
After completing the walk she admitted the experience had been emotional, especially as she finished with all her team mates.
Miss Jolliffe said: "It is hard to put into words what it was like to complete the walk.  I get rather emotional when I think about it, not only because it was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but because of the amazing team that did the walk with me.”
She added: “Around kilometre 7 my legs were ready to give up, but my team lifted my spirits and stood beside me and kept me going, sometimes literally holding me up to give my legs that little break they needed. 
“I didn't finish in a record time, but I finished and that is what matters.  Crossing the finish line was incredibly emotional, it was something I was told I would never be able to accomplish and to share it with such incredible people was amazing."