Wigan school pupils and staff prove they are good sports by taking on charity challenge

The staff and pupils at Dean Trust Rose Bridge in Ince have flown out of the blocks to support Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Schools while on lockdown.

The children, who normally take part in Race for Life Schools as part of their PE lessons, have instead been running, skipping, cycling and more in their back gardens and neighbourhoods.

Many have been picking up the baton in support of family members who have been affected by cancer, including PE teacher Kate Warren, who organised the Race for Life Schools sports day fund-raising event.

Kate, 25, said: “I’ve lost family members to cancer and when I joined Dean Trust I introduced Race for Life into the school PE lessons.

“Normally we’d be doing laps of the school sports field as part of our fund-raiser.

“It’s always a great way to raise money for a charity that’s close to our hearts and also good fun for the kids.

“But with most of the school closed for the time being, we decided to do things a little differently this year and put on a Race for Life Schools sports day challenge at home.

“We’ve been encouraging staff and students to complete sporty challenges in their back gardens and local parks to help raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK and the response has been incredible.

“Many of our school community have been affected by cancer in some way, and we all want to do something positive to help fight this disease and ensure that the fight against cancer can continue during these unprecedented times.

“Charities like Cancer Research UK will be hit hard by the current situation, but we can all play a part – no matter how big or small – in supporting life-saving work right now.

“Although I’ve lost family members to cancer, my grandad and two aunties have also survived and I want to prove that together we can and we will beat this disease.”

The pupils and staff took on a range of challenges including runs, walks, bike rides, rowing and yoga over a two-week period.

These included year 10 pupil Michael Melling, who cycled a marathon, teacher Tina Ashurst, who completed a “quadlathon” of running, cycling, rowing and yoga, and Kate, who ran five 5kms in the fortnight.

In total they have raised more than £1,500 to support life-saving research into cancer.

Now the school is calling on other families and schools to get involved and make a small donation to Cancer Research UK for the sports day pack, if they feel able to do so.

The Race for Life Schools sports day pack is suitable for families and teachers who might be setting activities for PE lessons at home or caring for children in school.

As well as familiar favourites like the sack race, it contains indoor and outdoor ideas ranging from carpet bowls, limbo and target throws to scavenger hunts and ten pin bowling, which can all be staged with equipment found at home or school.

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesman for the North West, said: “We’re grateful for the generosity of our schools’ community who normally organise or take part in Race for Life events every summer – and would like to say a huge thank you to Dean Trust Rose Bridge for their fantastic support this year.

“At a time when we’re all having to keep apart, our message to parents and teachers is – we’re in this together.

“It’s such an unsettling time for us all, but especially for children whose lives revolve around familiar routines and calendar dates. We hope our sports day pack will go some way to ensuring that they don’t miss out on such an important milestone in the school year.

“Come rain or shine, garden or not, we’ve got lots of inspiration for activities that will help to lift lockdown spirits and get children moving.”

Organisers are inviting supporters to unite by sharing photos and videos on social media using #RFLSportsDay.

To get involved visit raceforlife.org/sportsday.

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