The staff at The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel are raising money for Help 4 Heroes and The Boyle and Petyt School in Beamsley by taking part in the gruelling ‘Tough Mudder’ event this Saturday.

Pupils in North Yorkshire are reaping the rewards of a unique fundraising partnership that has seen the same family supporting their school for 140 years.

The Boyle & Petyt School in Beamsley has been selected by Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants as its good cause for the year. The decision is likely to mean thousands of pounds being donated from a range of fundraising events.

It also marks the continuation of a stunning relationship that began in the 1870s when the primary school was built on land donated by the 6th Duke of Devonshire.

Simon Rhatigan the managing director of Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants said: “Each year we select a charity or good cause to benefit from the wide range of fundraising events we organise. This year we’re absolutely thrilled to see money going to The Boyle & Petyt School, which is particularly close to our hearts.”

He added: “Since being completed in 1875 - thanks to land and funds provided by the then Duke - the school has welcomed many hundreds of pupils and it continues to provide an invaluable resource for the local community.”

“Our fundraising has seen a total of nearly £100,000 collected for our selected good causes over the past decade,” Simon added. Funds for The Boyle & Petyt School are to be raised by “The Devonshire Pride” team entered into the gruelling Tough Mudder challenge, being staged at the Broughton Hall Estate, Skipton, on September 7 & 8, quoted as “probably the toughest challenge on the planet”.

Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants is covering the entry fees for each of The Devonshire Pride participants and will divide the team’s fundraising total between the primary school and Help for Heroes, the event’s official charity.

Marketing manager Oliver Moore said he is looking to maximise fundraising by securing a corporate sponsor, whose logo will appear on team members’ T-shirts and on marketing literature. Sponsorship donations for the team can be made via www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk/donations.cfm In addition, the group is selling in each of its hotels its own Devonshire Pride Ale with a percentage of each drink sold being donated.

The money raised by the Tough Mudder Challenge will add to cash already amassed from their annual duck race, which saw 1,600 ducks released from the bridge in front of The Cavendish Pavilion, and due to be collected at other events including this year’s traditional bonfire and firework display at The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey.

In addition, The Boyle & Petyt School is given free use of The Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey for its annual charity fundraising ball and the close links are strengthened further by the Duchess of Devonshire serving on the school’s Board of Governors.

For more information on The Tough Mudder challenge or to make a donation, contact Oliver Moore, marketing manager at Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants on 01756 718147 or email Oliver.Moore@devonshirehotels.co.uk