Proud families cheer on Jubilee Challenge teams

Family and friends said they felt proud of their loved ones as they watched them cross the finish line of the Jubilee Challenge on Saturday.

Organisers said the Jubilee Challenge, part of the Ten Tors weekend, was designed for young people with a range of physical, neurological or educational needs to take on four different routes across Dartmoor.

Participants who took on the walk ranging between 7.5m (12km) and 15m (24km) were met by family, friends and supporters at the finish line.

Mum Kirsty Hudson said it was her 13-year-old son Ben's first time taking on the one-day challenge, adding the family were "proud" of him.

"Our son has special needs and goes to a special school and life has been quite challenging for him because he has found academic work quite hard," she said.

"Something like this, it just gives the children the opportunity to be really successful.

"We wanted to cheer on everyone who came through because we know things can be a bit harder for them compared to everyone else."

Army Headquarters South West, which organises the event, said the Jubilee-Plus Challenge, launched last year, was aimed at young adults with special educational needs and disabilities who were capable of an overnight stay, but may find the entire Ten Tors challenge "inaccessible".

She said it was also Ben's first time camping with his team who were representing Orchard Manor School in Dawlish.

Representing Mayfield School and College in Torquay, Matty Hooper, said his team, along with his dad Mike Hooper, walked eight miles.

Matty said he felt "very proud" for completing the challenge.

Mr Hooper said: "I'm not feeling too bad, a little achy but it was good, we enjoyed it."

"We did about five to six weeks of training."

Matty, who completed the challenge in 2024, said the biggest challenge this year was avoiding water on the walk due to the "slippery stones".

However this had not put him off and he said they will be back again next year.

Organisers said about 400 people entered the Jubilee Challenge each year.

By 17:00, the final participants had crossed the line.

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