School team hit the streets for £2M sports hall
CHARLOTTE GREEN
ATEAM of staff and parents are preparing to run a half marathon to help build a £2million sports centre at a specialist school.
The 11-strong group are taking on the Great Manchester Run half marathon on Sunday, May 28 to build a sports hall for Tor View Specialist Learning Community school in Haslingden.
The runners – two teachers, eight teaching assistant and one parent – are raising money towards the £2million goal, which would fund a new sports hall, swimming and hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapy suite.
Andy O’Brien, who has been at the school for seven years, is preparing for the challenge by training with his fellow teaching assistant Andy Stafford and has already hit his £300 target.
He said: “This is my first half marathon, everyone involved is just doing it for the first time and seeing what we can achieve.
“I’ve been training since Christmas because I couldn’t really run two miles then, and me and Andy are aiming to run it in two hours and under.
“We are hoping it will be a bit easier than running in Rossendale – Manchester will be a bit flatter!”
The 29-year-old added: “Everyone’s trying to raise as much as we can to make it worthwhile, it’s nice that we’ve all signed up to do it, we have a chat about our different training plans at breaks in the staff room. We are all in the same time bracket so we’re setting off at the same time, which is great for the team.”
The school on Clod Lane supports children with learning, physical and sensory difficulties, but is the only school in the borough that does not have a sports hall.
Andy said: “There are a lot of benefits for our pupils to learn sport but we don’t have a dedicated sporting area, so it’s quite limited in what we can offer in terms of health, fitness and wellbeing for our pupils.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to raise a good amount and it will get us teachers ●● Some of the Tor View team taking on the half marathon – back (from left) Rachel Duckworth, Richard Brennand, Andy O’Brien and Nikaela Wall. Front – Mick Kerr, Kelly Reeves, Lisa Crewe and Andy Stafford in shape as well.”
Principal of Tor View, Andy Squire, said: “We are the only school catering for secondary and further education age pupils in Rossendale without a quality sports hall.
“Our children and young adults already do well in this area but we feel strongly that we should strive to secure the best facilities possible.
“In parallel to our fundraising efforts through sponsorship and crowd funding we will be seeking to apply to other funding sources and most importantly the Department for Education.”
To donate, visit justgiving.com/friendsoftorview. A MAN has appeared in court accused of robbery following an alleged incident at Michael Anthony Jewellers on Bank Street in Rawtenstall.
Jason Rae, 47, of no fixed address, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates charged with theft, robbery, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, failing to stop, assault, and criminal damage.
Claire Shirley, 42, of Pevensey Court, Manchester, has been charged with theft from a shop.
It follows an alleged incident on Monday, May 8.
They will both appear at Burnley Crown Court on Thursday, June 8.
Mr Rae has been remanded in custody until the hearing, Ms Shirley was released on bail.