The eleven-strong group took part in charity CARE International’s Walk In Her Shoes campaign, which is raising awareness of women and girls in poverty in developing countries who have to walk vast distances every day to collect water.

The campaign is also focused on building safe water sources closer to where families live in in developing countries so that families can drink clean water and women and girls have the time to go to school.

The challenge, set by the charity, was to walk 10,000 steps a day for seven days – the equivalent (on average) of a 90 minute, or five mile, walk every day.

Collectively, the girls achieved 385 miles.

“We did really struggle to hit 10,000 steps a day,” explained Course Coordinator Liesl Conradie, who also joined the challenge, which “wasn't easy”.

“This campaign was picked because, students and staff from the Child and Adolescent Studies programme, we aim to focus on children and young people and aspects that impact on their childhoods – not just in this country but worldwide.

“It is important for us to realise how different some children's realities are. We will all work with children and young people who have had different experiences than our own.”

Student Angelique Treacy added: “Subscribing to this charity has been a challenge and effectively, an eye opener. It’s heart-breaking to consider that many children are forced to miss out on educative opportunities just to keep hydrated; this should be a right for everyone. When reminiscing about the process of the 10,000 steps a day, it is vital that we consider the conditions and limited resources in which children in Africa travel.”

Fellow student Alexa Rosen said she took part to show support, and help begin change the world for young people who walk miles every day and who may never get a proper education.

“Because I found the experience difficult, it made me want to do it much more because I always had in the back of my mind these girls don’t get a break, they walk further and they don’t moan,” added participant Kiri Elberts.

To add to the girls’ fundraising efforts visit walkinhershoes.everydayhero.com

For more information about CARE International’s work visit: www.careniternational.org.uk