This year we have supported 248 young people to train and take part in Ten Tors, the Jubilee Challenge, the Granite Challenge and other outdoor adventures through our Moor Boots Grant scheme. £25,329 of funding has been awarded to purchase essential outdoor kit, including 127 pairs of walking boots and 134 sets of waterproofs. Without this basic outdoor gear, participants would not have been able to complete the challenging training programme of day long walks and overnight camps on Dartmoor, let alone made it to the finish line of the 35, 45 or 55 mile main event.

The DPA awarded grants across 38 organisations, including schools, education centres and cadets. Applicants were facing additional challenges to their training, due to many not having correctly fitting boots or waterproofs that kept them dry in the Dartmoor weather. Equipment required to take part in the Jubilee Challenge or Granite Challenge includes sturdy boots, waterproof trousers, gaiters, a waterproof jacket, plus comfortable socks, gloves and base layers, the cost of which quickly adds up. This is without the tents, sleeping bags and mats required for the overnight Ten Tors challenges. Many families face financial hardship which means they are simply unable to equip their children with these items, as much as they want to. Our Moor Boots grants are specifically aimed at removing financial barriers to the great outdoors, and gearing young people up with the kit they need to succeed.

Organisers of Ten Tors and the Jubilee Challenge state: ‘There may be many challenging outdoor events in Britain today, but Ten Tors stands alone in its scale, its ambition and the fact that it is aimed solely at young people. All those who attempt Ten Tors will undoubtedly remember it for the rest of their lives and for many it will be a life-changing experience. Completing Ten Tors is not easy with the terrain, distances and often the climate all conspiring against success. It is though achievable with the right commitment, training, endurance and grit.’

Here at the DPA, we feel passionately that young people should not be excluded from taking part in these events due to financial hardship. Training as part of a team and feeling the triumph of conquering a route across the moor can be a life shaping experience, creating a lasting bond between person and place. We are particularly thankful that a number of businesses and individuals have made donations towards our Moor Boots scheme this year, which has helped us to equip more young people for success than ever before.

Comparing the 248 applications we received this year to the 76 applications last year, it’s clear that the need for schemes like Moor Boots is still very much there. We were delighted to have the BBC film with Bodmin School, who had 16 young people in receipt of a Moor Boots grant, as they prepared to take on the Jubliee challenge. The article and accompanying video explains the huge pride that comes with taking part in such a prestigious evet, with many students seeing the challenge as the highlight of their year. Jen George, head of adventure and outdoor learning at Bodmin College, stated that the school wouldn’t be able to take part without the donation of funds to buy essential kit, and thanked the DPA for their grant of £2080.

Transferable Skills Training shared, ‘They did it! Congratulations to the two Jubilee Challenge teams from TST who have completed 11 and 15 miles. This is the first time we have entered teams, and will continue to for many more years to come.’ Three young people from Transferable Skills Training received Moor Boots grants to purchase walking boots and waterproofs.

Launceston College said, ‘Huge congratulations to our Ten Tors 35 team who completed all 35 miles, crossing the finish line at 11:32am. Ten Tors creates memories (and blisters!) that last a lifetime, and we are incredibly proud of every student who took part. Huge congratulations to our ARB boys on completing the Jubilee Challenge! We’re incredibly proud of your determination and teamwork throughout the journey. A massive thank you as well to everyone who supported them.’ Five young people from Launceston College were awarded Moor Boots grants to purchase waterproofs, bags, hats, gloves and boots.

Blaise High School praised their Jubilee Challenge participants, ‘Congratulations to our Jubilee Challenge finishers! We couldn’t be prouder of you! Talk about strength of character.’ Three young people from Blaise High School received Moor Boots grants for boots, waterproof trousers, jackets, socks and gaiters.

Feedback from Grant Recipients

‘LH has loved being involved in Ten Tors over the last two years and these new boots will help him both for this event and hopefully for next year as he goes on to complete the 55 mile challenge. He is determined to have a career in outdoor education – he will be going on to study outdoor education at Petroc college when he completes his GCSEs this summer – and these boots are seen as a long term investment in helping him stay dry and warm on Dartmoor.’ -Sea Moor Explore

‘Thank you so much for your very kind grant for kit and equipment. It will go a long way in supporting these students through Ten Tors and into future outdoor adventures.’ -Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre

‘Our first Ten Tors 2026 thank you goes to Dartmoor Preservation. A number of our participants benefitted from their Moor Boots Scheme – helping fund new and needed Walking Boots, Waterproofs and Gaiters to name a few. It really is a valuable grant and we are so grateful that it is there for our participants.’ -Dartmoor Plodders

‘Huge congratulations to the pupils who worked so hard to complete the Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor last weekend – what an incredible achievement! Thank you to The Alpkit Foundation and to Dartmoor Preservation Association’s Moor Boots fund for helping provide essential kit to make this possible.’ -Mill Water School

‘What an incredible weekend for our students who took part in the 2026 Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor! A huge well done to the 7 students who took part in the challenge, showing determination, resilience and huge team spirit throughout the weekend. From setting up camp to completing the walk, everyone has truly achieved something amazing.

‘There were so many memorable moments along the way, including some time in the military engagement village, the early-morning atmosphere of more than 600 people singing Sweet Caroline at 7:15 am, and, of course, the excellent applause as our students crossed the finish line to collect their medals. Memories for life have been made. We’d like to say a special thank you to Dartmoor Preservation Association for kindly donating the jackets worn by the students on the walk. It was a really lovely gesture that kept everyone warm in those cold morning hours! We had such a great time, and we are already looking forward to next year. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.’ -Lifeworks

Applications for our Moor Boots grant scheme are now closed, but will reopen again in autumn as schools and organisations begin to plan for Ten Tors 2027. Donations towards this initiative are always welcomed and we warmly invite anyone with fundraising ideas to get in touch.

Header image: Fowey River Academy 45 mile team