The head of one of Helston’s primary schools will undertake a mammoth run to raise funds for a new sheltered space for children on the school grounds.
St Michael’s C of E Primary School headteacher Mrs Sarah Luff will be running 16.5 miles on a challenging, hilly, coastal route in May to raise funds for an outdoor sheltered space for children who prefer a quiet and secure place to go whilst at school.
The shelter will provide an opportunity for pupils who don’t wish to participate in sporting play-time activities or just want somewhere else to go to have some time to themselves or with friends to enjoy nature, and activities such as reading and drawing.
To raise enough funds to purchase the shelter (which is estimated to cost around £30,000+), the school have launched a Crowdfunder for people to donate. You can see this here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/run-st-michaels.
Over a day, Mrs Luff will run from St Michael’s Mount in Marazion to St Michael’s school via the coastal path. She will also be supported and joined along the way by parent volunteers, community volunteers, and service personnel from RNAS Culdrose.
Sarah explained that she finds hills particularly challenging, and the distance will be the longest she has completed but hopes all the techniques that JP Fitness has taught her will get her through.
Aside from raising funds, Sarah hopes that her run will inspire the children to become more active and teach them the value of perseverance.
Although she is ‘far from being a professional runner’ Sarah hopes to encourage children to spend more time outside, and to build resilience.
She said: “Whilst I am far from a professional runner, by undertaking a challenge of this magnitude, I hope to encourage more children to take on challenges and develop resilience, whilst spending more time in nature.”
On the day of her run, the school are aiming to set up a live feed of Sarah’s run for children to watch whilst they are at school.
Once she arrives back at the school at approximately 2.30pm, Sarah will run a final lap around the field with the pupils, who will be completing their own sponsored mile.
Since the fundraising campaign began there have been contributions from local businesses, as well as individuals supporting Sarah’s big run. These include the Inn & Still, Helston and Lizard Rotary Club, Chris Nicholls Motors, DB Law and parents of children at the school.
Sarah also thanked the team at St Michael's and the Rainbow Multi Academy Trust who have been hugely encouraging. The challenge is on Friday, May 24.
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