YOUNG runners at a Solihull community primary school have effectively run a marathon during their fundraising Charity Fortnight.
This is the fourth year that children and staff in Key Stage 2 at Dorridge Primary School have taken part in this annual event.
Their chosen charity is Marie Curie Cancer Care, which has a hospice in Solihull, and the school hopes to raise £8,000.
Jodie Hales, deputy head teacher, said: “Even though each runner ran either 13 or 26 miles over the two weeks, collectively we ran 5,327 miles – the same distance from Dorridge Primary School to Los Angeles, USA!
“While Key Stage 2 children were running, Key Stage 1 and pupils in Early Years Foundation Stage completed 10 minutes of additional exercise each day culminating in an amazing dance display. As with the marathon finale, parents and carers were invited to watch and celebrate the amazing achievements of all staff and pupils.”
As well as the marathon and 10-minute exercise sessions, other fundraising activities included daily cake sales, Valentine biscuit sales, a glamour day, a yellow day and a 5p fair organised and run by children in Year 6.
This large, three-form entry community primary school has 700 pupils following the amalgamation of separate infant and junior schools in 2014.
The deputy head said: “The atmosphere around school has been absolutely amazing. It has been so lovely watching the whole school community coming together to raise money for this wonderful charity.
“Every day for two weeks, we have been asking our families to give generously as their children have been taking part in lots of different events. On Wednesday March 18, we will be presenting our cheque to Marie Curie Solihull in a whole school assembly where we will be able to hear what a difference our money will make.”
