Nearly 1,000 pupils at a County Durham school have turned one of their lessons into a fundraising exercise for a cancer charity that has raised more than £2m.
Every pupil at Whitworth Park Academy, at Spennymoor, took part in the ‘Whitworth Warrior Walk’ to raise thousands of pounds for the Team Solan Cancer Trust.
The charity has raised more than £2m since it was set up by former Whitworth Park pupil, Mark Solan, in 2015 after he lost his mother and grandmother to cancer.
The first Whitworth Warrior Walk raised £3,000 last year and the aim is to try to match that amount this year.
Pupils spent an hour-long lesson walking round a cross-country obstacle course, complete with a limbo rope near the finishing line.
Mark said: “I have a real connection with the school, so it’s amazing to see how the pupils and staff have come together to support the charity. I can’t thank them enough because their contribution really makes a difference.”
The charity is currently supporting 460 families, providing financial, physical, practical and emotional support, including holistic therapies, counselling, and a wig and beauty room.
Funds were raised through online donations, with pupils also encouraged to wear T-shirts with personalised signs to show why they were taking part.
The event was organised by Assistant Headteacher, Natalie Smith, and supervised by Ellie Butterworth, Head of Year Nine at the school, which is part of the Advance Learning Partnership.
Mrs Butterworth said: “This event resonates with the whole school community because cancer touches everyone, and some of the pupils involved in the walk have very personal reasons for wanting to show their support.
“The core values of the school are kindness, diligence, and respect, and the walk embraces all of them in a very positive way. We are very proud to support such an incredible local charity that helps so many people.”
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
