Spirit of Volunteering | Charterhouse School

Pupil volunteers support the success of the Prep Schools' Triathlon 

Toby shares his experience:

On Sunday 10 May, I was lucky enough to be a volunteer for the Charterhouse edition of the Knight Frank Schools Triathlon. It was an amazing event, despite the uninspiring weather! The enthusiasm and excitement that all the children brought was so contagious, us volunteers couldn’t help but be uplifted by them.

I was stationed on the run section, briefing the children before they started and giving encouragement around the course. For some of the children, the run was the furthest they have ever done before, on top of a tough swim and cycle! I found the determination and resilience shown by all the children to finish the run truly incredible, as well as the unwavering support displayed by their teammates cheering them on.

For me on a more personal level, marshalling the course was extremely fulfilling. Seeing how much it meant to the children to hear a cheer or a simple shout of encouragement to keep going, showed me the tangible impact volunteering can have on others. Each lift or reassurance I gave was met with such appreciation, and a noticeable increase in motivation and self-belief that they could keep going. 

I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a meaningful event, improving the lives of young people across the globe through Restless Development. This has definitely inspired me to get involved with more volunteering events, mainly from the positivity and eagerness I felt from the children to take on challenges wholeheartedly and support one another.

Mine reflects on the event:

Charterhouse was buzzing with excitement as we hosted the annual Prep Schools Triathlon in partnership with Restless Development. Hundreds of young athletes arrived ready to swim, cycle and run, but behind the scenes it was the First Year volunteers who helped keep the entire event running smoothly from start to finish.

Before the first race even began, First Years were already hard at work. Some were on registration and meet‑and‑greet, welcoming families as they arrive, while others were out in the car park, guiding everyone to the right places and keeping everything moving safely. Inside, a team of volunteers supported poolside, helping organise the swimmers, and making sure each heat ran on time while encouraging the many teary and nervous children. Out on the course, the run marshals and cycling marshals played a huge role in keeping the young athletes motivated. Whether it was cheering them on the final push, or briefing teams on the details of the course, the marshals kept the atmosphere positive all day.

Meanwhile, a team were stationed at the finish line, which quickly became one of the most joyful and chaotic parts of the event. Every few seconds another team of four came charging towards them, some sprinting, many holding hands, some laughing so hard they could barely run. The volunteer’s job was to hand out medals, Haribo’s, headbands, and an endless supply of high‑fives. It was impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. One of the unexpected highlights was being handed the microphone and interviewing the young athletes as they crossed the line. Some proudly told us how much money they’d raised, others declared cycling as their favourite part, and a few even broke into chants and victory dances mid‑interview.

After the final teams finished, the First Years didn’t disappear, the pack‑down team stayed on to help clear equipment, tidy the course, and make sure the school grounds were back to normal. It was a long day, but the sense of teamwork made it feel worthwhile.

What stood out most was how supportive the whole event felt. Parents cheered every child, volunteers encouraged anyone who looked tired, and the younger pupils pushed themselves far beyond what they thought they could do. It wasn’t about winning, but about taking part, working together, and celebrating every effort.

By the end of the day, we were tired, wet, and cold, but we were also incredibly proud. Proud of the younger pupils who completed the triathlon, and proud of the role of over one hundred First Years played in making the event such a success.