Stepping out in mum’s memory

Around 240 pupils took part in a Race For Life at Toot Hill School, Bingham, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The event was organised by pupil Fiona Shaw (14) in memory of her mother, Mrs Wendy Shaw, who died of breast cancer six years ago.

Nearly all the pupils in Fiona’s year group took part in the five-kilometre race on Thursday.

The year was split into two groups and they were allowed to run, jog or walk the 13 laps of the school’s track during their PE lesson.

In total, they raised around £1,000 for the charity.

Fiona, of Inholms Gardens, Flintham, said: “I have always wanted to do it. I asked my teacher, Miss Gray, if she would run it with me but when it came round to it we thought we might as well get more people to do it to get more money.

“We looked at doing the one at Holme Pierrepont but we couldn’t get everyone there so we decided to do one at school.

“I think it worked well. Everyone had lots of fun. I ran a bit and walked a bit. Everyone told me how much they enjoyed it and how good it was.

“My mum did triathlons. She was very active. It was the type of thing she would have done. She was really into things like that.”

Fiona completed the race in 42 minutes and raised £70.

Harriet Cains, Lucy Gaffney and Megan Griffin, all 14, wore pyjamas and tied their legs together with their school ties.

Harriet said: “We did it in 42 minutes. We thought it would be fun. We raised £30 all together.”

The assistant head of year, Miss Jennifer Gray, said: “They were fantastic.

“They knew they could walk or jog. They had 45 minutes to do it in. A couple of the lads ran it in 20 minutes.

“Some of them wanted to do it in fancy dress.

“Fiona put so much hard work into it.”

All the pupils were granted a non-uniform day on Friday for taking part.