Pupils take part in colour run in aid of primary school

MORE than 140 pupils and parents took part in a colour run in aid of Whitchurch Primary School.

The event was organised by the parents’ association and was held on the village green.

The children warmed up by performing star jumps and running on the spot to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift and Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves led by Zumba teacher Rachel Grocott.

They then ran laps of the field while being showered in coloured powder by parents and teachers.

The packets of blue, green and red powder had been sold for £2 each, helping to raise a total £3,684 with JustGiving donations and a bucket collection at the toll bridge.

Headteacher Dawn Chesters said the school needed to raise funds. She said: “We get money from the Government which covers the children being in the room with pencils and pens, the bare minimum. The parents’ association creates those enriching resources, which can be like maths schemes or reading schemes.

“They maintain our artificial pitch, they fund our parent email system and they fund online resource packages that support teachers. They are really good at putting on events that are for the children’s benefit.”

Goring estate agents Warmingham & Co sponsored the event. Managing director Paul O’Loughlin, whose wife began her teaching career at the school, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our long-standing association with the school. My two nieces were also here so we have lots of fond memories. It is lovely to see the school thriving.”

Meanwhile, a parent raised almost £2,500 for the school by running the London Marathon.

Beata Monkevic-Hageman, 41, whose sons, Bobby and Sonny, are pupils, completed the 26.2-mile course in four hours and 22 minutes.

She said: “It was because of the support from friends, parents and the school that I was able to do it.

“On the day, I got more than 100 messages of support, which really pushed me on, and my friends came to support me, which helped even more. It was an amazing feeling to finish the race.”