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Apr
Epic 300-mile Harrogate to London challenge to honour nursery teacher’s legacy
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Ellie Kempley’s family and friends will take on an epic challenge from Harrogate to London and raise funds that will train the next generation of Montessori teachers.
Ellie tragically passed away in 2022, aged just 23, from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.
As a child, Ellie attended Rigg Farm Montessori near Beckwithshaw, as did her three siblings. She loved children and was fascinated by Montessori’s creative and child-led approach to early years education. When at university, she volunteered at the nursery on Briscoe Ridge Lane during the holidays.
After graduating, Ellie finally became a member of the team at Rigg Farm and began her dream of becoming a qualified Montessori teacher. She attended the Maria Montessori Institute in London and was halfway through her course when she died.
Ellie with her colleagues at Rigg Farm.
Ellie at Rigg Farm
However, out of the pain and grief, her family vowed to keep Ellie and her dreams alive by starting The Ellie Kempley Foundation and creating a lasting legacy to her memory. Each year, the foundation sponsors a Montessori student so they can qualify and continue Ellie's dream and work with children.
Beginning on Sunday morning at Rigg Farm, Ellie's brother Ben and her partner Ryan will be doing the full 300-plus mile journey, which they have called ‘Miles for Montessori’.
It will involve three ultramarathons alongside two long-distance bike rides and hikes. All being well, they will finish on Saturday, May 9 at the Maria Montessori Institute in London.
More than 130 of Ellie’s friends, family, and colleagues will also be joining in stages across the week.
They have already raised £22,000 for the foundation and are well on their way to reaching their goal of £26,000.
Ben Kempley said:
Ellie was my little sister, and she was the kindest, most selfless person I’ve ever known. She was completely dedicated to working with children, and Montessori wasn’t just a career path for her - it was her purpose. She dreamed of opening her own nursery one day and creating a place where children could grow with confidence, curiosity, and independence.
When we lost Ellie so suddenly in 2022, starting the Ellie Kempley Scholarship was our way of making sure her passion lived on. Each year, it helps a student complete their Montessori training and continue the work Ellie should have had the chance to do herself.
Miles for Montessori is our biggest challenge yet - running, cycling and hiking from Harrogate to London, from the nursery where Ellie taught to the Maria Montessori Institute where she trained. I’ve trained for around 150 hours so far, including roughly 1,400km of cycling and 800km of running. Every mile is for Ellie, and every donation helps keep her legacy alive.
Ellie as a child.
Terri Micallef, proprietor of Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery, encouraged anyone to come along on Sunday to give Ben, Ryan and the other participants a good send-off. It begins at the nursery on Briscoeridgelane at 9am.
You can donate here.
More information about the Miles for Montessori challenge is available here.
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