One of the biggest challenges faced at Alton Castle is feeding everyone. There are around 84 residential retreats per school year, 6 meals per retreat, around 70 children per retreat, accompanied by 7 teachers, 12 Castle team members, plus the occasional visitor – if you do the maths, that’s almost 45,000 meals per year!

Working with these numbers, it’s impossible to please all of the people all of the time but Claire, the Head Chef, and her assistant Debbie, both work extremely hard at making sure everyone is fed and watered together with a high standard of home cooked food, taking account of an increasing range of dietary requirements and allergies.

As if this were not enough to keep you busy and wear you out, Claire and Debbie have signed up to be thrown out of a perfectly sound aeroplane and parachute back down to earth in order to raise funds for Alton Castle, in this exciting event organised in partnership with Catholic Today.

Both admit to being scared of heights and have opted not to take part in the Castle’s annual sponsored abseil event over recent years for that reason. Claire, who started working at the Castle as kitchen assistant in January 2004, says:

‘I did the 35ft abseil in 2005 and hated it! I swore I’d never do it again. But, I did do a parachute jump when I was 18 and loved it. I’ve always wanted to have another go so when this opportunity came along, I signed up. I hope I haven’t lost my sense of adventure in the meantime!’

Before long, Claire had managed to convince Debbie to join her. Debbie, who joined the Castle in October 2004, says:

‘I have never done anything like this before but always fancied a parachute jump. I just hope I can hold my nerve on the day and enjoy it. It will help having Claire alongside me to stop me backing out, I’m sure we’ll support each other through this challenge.’

Claire and Debbie both love what the Castle represents and witness day to day how much the young people who visit the Castle enjoy their experience. They will be working hard to raise as much money as they can from family, friends and suppliers, all of which will go to the charity.

Rupert Evans of Denstone Hall Farm Shop who supply the Castle with locally produced meat and fresh fruit and vegetables, wishes them both well: ‘I did the Three Peaks Challenge for charity last year but have never fancied a parachute jump – I prefer to keep my feet firmly on terra firma. I’m sure Claire and Debbie will do really well and I will be supporting them all the way – from the ground!’